EMERGENCY food and toiletries charity Porch Boxes is on the look out for new collection points around the borough.

Many people donate food items, to be distributed to families in need, at collection points situated in libraries around the borough.

And with the future of the libraries in doubt, new venues are being sought.

"In the event some of the libraries in Bury may close in the future, the charity will be on the lookout for alternative collection points, and in this regard many of our local churches may be able to help out, said a Porch Box spokesman.

The charity was started in 1998 by Carol Hayden when she came across people in desperate need whilst working with Bury’s Young Peoples Housing Link.

As a result she came up with the idea of putting together crisis packs for these people using donations of goods from members of her church, which initially, she stored in her church, hence the name.

Today the charity provides crisis packs for up to 500 people per month for those in immediate need and also provides starter packs for people making the transition from care to community living.

Last year a total of 5,395 packs were distributed and many organisations such as schools and churches in the borough regularly supply items to the charity.

There are various collection points around the borough such as medical centres, libraries and churches and if requested, volunteers from Porch Boxes will come out to collect contributions.

A spokesman for Porch Boxes said: “We are extremely grateful for the support and contributions of the people of Bury, Radcliffe and the surrounding towns and villages, without which we could not carry on our work of providing crisis packs to those in need and consequently those in need would suffer.

“We appeal to anyone who has a few tins or packets of food or toiletries to spare, to make a contribution of just one item per week for a year can make all the difference to someone who has nothing!

A complete list of items which are requested can be obtained by e-mailing Woodalandol@aol.com or by calling 07787151742.

The organisation's annual general meeting will be held at at 6pm on March 21 at Bridge Methodist Church and members of the public are invited.