Barrow Foodbank hosted a ‘Great Bean Exchange’ on Friday to swap tins of baked beans for other tinned food.

The foodbank have received 6,000 tins of baked beans, filling up the warehouse and leaving members worried that the food will go out of date.

The charity have stated they are very grateful for all the donations they have received and they use a lot of baked beans.

But the organisation, founded in 2012, have said they have a responsibility to make sure that no food goes to waste.

To solve the problem, and with the busiest time of the year coming up, Barrow Foodbank ran a bean exchange.

They asked people to swap the equivalent number of other tinned food items for tins of beans.

The event was hosted at Barrow Market at 9am and lasted for six hours.

Claire Coulthurst, a volunteer at Barrow Foodbank, said she appreciates everything that was donated.

She said: “We managed to exchange around three crates of beans on Friday.

“We did get a few donations by people dropping stuff off at our various points in the town.

“We picked up around eight kilograms worth of donations and exchanged a few tins.

“As always, we appreciate everything we get, and we thank everyone that helped us once again.”

Colin Garnett, manager of Barrow BID, said it’s important local people help each other.

He said: “In this day and age people should not need to go to food banks, but unfortunately they do.

“As a Barrovian and someone who lives in Barrow, it is important people look after one another.

“The foodbank epitomises that because everyone does help out.

He added: “It was a great opportunity for people to get involved and help people who are struggling.

“The foodbank appreciates every donation they receive.

“I just wanted to my bit to help out as Barrow BID manager and to raise awareness for people to help in the future.”

The demand for foodbanks has seen a 31 per cent increase year on year.

Stock at Barrow has risen in recent weeks due to several donations from local people, schools and businesses.

To help Barrow Foodbank, you can donate at several locations throughout South Cumbria.

If you are interested in helping the foodbank, visit www.barrow.foodbank.org.uk or contact Ann Mills on 01229 343436, or email: projectmanager@barrowfoodbank.co.uk.