A FOOD bank has “days” to stump up £10,000 in unpaid rent or face being shut by bailiffs.

Tins and Things, operated by Choices Family Support Service, said it had been unable to pay rent at its warehouse in Seax Way, Laindon, because it had been spending all its donations on items for food parcels.

Bailiffs went in last Thursday, but bosses managed to persuade them not to seize food parcels and cooking equipment straight away.

They have been given an extra week to find the cash.

Susanna Caira-Neeson, managing director of Choices Family Support Service, said: “If everyone in Basildon donated just £1 to this food bank, then we would be saved.”

Tins and Things, which opened 12 months ago, has provided about 20,000 meals to more than 500 families across Basildon.

Clients are referred by Basildon Council and other local authorities, but it receives no money towards running costs.

The food bank has been so overwhelmed with people needing help it has a chronic shortage of food. This meant bosses were forced to spend the charity’s rent money on food parcels. Ms Caira- Neeson said: “It is a desperate situation.

We are just trying to get as many donations as we can from the community so we can pay the £10,000 we owe. The bailiffs came in last week, initially to evict us, but we have managed to win some extra time.

“However, the bailiffs have taken a list of equipment which could be seized and sold to meet the debt. We are applying for grant funding to secure the bank’s long-term future. But we really need to raise money quickly.”

The bank is the only one in the area offering long-term support to people in need, such as young people leaving care or selfemployed tradespeople who may be unable to work for a few months through injury.

Choices Family Support also runs a community kitchen, where people can get a hot meal and learn how to prepare it.

Ms Caira-Neeson added: “This is such an important source of support for people in Basildon. I would just ask anyone to give whatever they can.”

To support the food bank fund, visit www.choicesfamily.co.uk/ and click on the blue “Donate”

button in the bottom right hand corner.