MEMBERS of a Southampton bike group have pleaded with residents to help fill a city food bank after most of its shelves were left bare.

Southampton Bike Night, the group consisting of thousands of members, meet weekly by the Bargate. Tonight, for their final meet of the season, they are urging community members to help them out with their annual food drive to help stock up Basics Bank, which is run by Southampton City Mission.

Food bank project manager David Osborne said the shelves were usually empty, but did add that August was traditionally their busiest time of year.

David, who has been organising the five banks serving Southampton for around five years, said: “Last year we sent out about 10,000 food parcels, which is amazing really. At the moment we are low on everything a lot of those are critical, such as tins of soup, your tinned meats and toiletries, which are so important.

“Our 150 volunteers are our heroes really, and these bikers are such a generous bunch. Last year they filled a van full and this year, they say they want to fill two.”

Mark Holeman, who is helping to organise the food drive at the Bargate tomorrow night from 6pm, said they were expecting around 500 bikers at the event.

Mark, 48, said: “We do it every year for our last meet, everyone will be charged the admission of some food to take part.

“We are just hoping others will join us, they do such great work. To be honest, if someone brings a tin of corned beef, then we’re chuffed.”