MUSLIM organisations and community members are working in partnership with Blackburn Foodbank to feed the ‘hidden hungry’.

Residents are being asked to donate ‘non-perishable’ food stuffs at a number of mosques and madressas on Friday December 14 to help struggling families across the borough.

Blackburn with Darwen councillors and officers are also supporting the initiative as part of the Your Call campaign.

As the work of the foodbank supports all sections of the community it is hoped this interfaith initiative will be encourage longstanding and regular collections.

Councillor Salim Sidat said: “It is a fact that one in five people are living below the poverty line.

“I’ve have been down to the foodbank and you can see people are really struggling.

“They are in desperate need and we need a big push to help them.

“This is an issue that affects many people across Blackburn and this is the time to show good relations between both white and Asian communities.

“Muslims are being born and bred here and we shouldn’t have any divisions, we should look at everyone’s needs and address them accordingly.”

Suggested foods are UHT or powdered milk, sugar, long life fruit juice, tins of soup, pasta sauce, tinned tomatoes, breakfast cereals, rice, pasta, tea bags, biscuits and any other long life foods.

Mosque collection points are Jamia Masjid on Cumberland Street, Noorul Islam in Audley Range, Ghosia Masjid on Chester Street, Masjide E Sajedeen on Plane Tree Road, Troy Street Masjid and Noorani Masjid.

Once all donations are collected it will be dropped off at the Blackburn Foodbank Warehouse at St Barnabas Church, Johnson Street on Thursday December 20 at 11am.