Families are facing hardship in Greater Manchester this Christmas. They need our help

It's a time of festive joy, when families come together to celebrate.

But for those living in extreme hardship, Christmas is a tough period. Many people are forced into a life of poverty - left to choose between heating and eating. Those people need our help.

As people begin making plans for the Christmas period, we are partnering with Humans MCR to ensure that no one across Greater Manchester goes hungry this Christmas.

The Manchester Evening News is working with the north Manchester foodbank for the third year in a row, to help raise money for their incredible Christmas campaign, which delivers festive cheer to families in need.

The charity does vital work all year round, delivering food parcels to around 400 families every week across Manchester, Salford, Trafford, Stockport, Rochdale and Bury.

They also have a Community Grocers where people can choose from a full range of supermarket goods at discounted rates. Their Learn with Humans campaign also offers cooking lessons with low-cost ingredients and appliances.

But the charity’s efforts peak with their Nobody Hungry At Christmas campaign, in which they work tirelessly to provide Christmas hampers containing a full Christmas dinner, as well as presents and treats for adults and children.

Last year, the M.E.N’s campaign to support the appeal raised £13,844, thanks to the generosity of our readers, and friend of the paper Michael Josephson, who pledged to match the amount of donations raised. The whopping sum raised meant that 840 families across the region could enjoy a home-cooked meal and presents on Christmas Day.

The Manchester Evening News Christmas Appeal is once again supporting Humans MCR, a charity doing incredible work to tackle hunger in Greater