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A woman has set up a food bank in her family home to help vulnerable people living in Leicestershire.

Emma Marsh worked with several charities including Help the Homeless based in Leicester before deciding to set up the food bank from her home in Earl Shilton.

To help those in need Emma would keep sleeping bags and other essentials in the boot of her car.

Towards Christmas the 37-year-old collects donations of toys, clothes and food. In previous years, with the help of her children and generous donations, she filled hundreds of shoe boxes to donate to vulnerable people.

"I know that there are loads of food banks in Leicester but for a lot of them people need referrals and vouchers so I decided to do it from home- it's heartbreaking seeing people struggle," she said.

Food banks often require a referral from someone else such as a GP or Citizens Advice. For people who are working or have young families it can be difficult to get hold of vouchers for food banks.

The self-employed mum accepts donations to her home or offers to collect donations from people.

"Even if someone just wants to donate one jar of pasta sauce I will happily go to pick it up because that person has made an effort to help," Emma said.

After last year's positive response, this year throughout December Emma wants to encourage even more donations.

Her 16-year-old son, Jack and 6-year-old daughter Amelie help to organise things.

"They get really involved - Jack wants to join the Red Cross because he just wants to help as many people as he can," Emma said.

Through word-of-mouth and Facebook, Emma has been able to reach hundreds of people and receives regular calls from people in need.

When people ask for things that haven't been donated, such as nappies or sanitary products, Emma spends her own money to help out.

"Even if it just saves someone twenty pounds it's worth it," she said.

Heading into the festive season, Emma said she wants to "reach people who will struggle over the Christmas period, especially those whose families are on low incomes or children who would usually get free school meals".

As part of the donations this year, she plans to include Christmas crackers and other treats.

She is now calling for anyone who can help to donate and thanks those who have already.

"It just shows that sometimes a little bit of kindness really goes far," she said.

If you would like to donate to the independent food bank please call Emma at 07913861668.