A grocery store chain is recycling its customer receipts into food vouchers for the needy.

Churches of all denominations are being invited to collect parishioners' receipts from The MarketPlace to be exchanged for vouchers.

For every $1,000 in value collected, the company will donate $10 to each church.

A spokesman for The MarketPlace said families suffering job losses in the economic downturn are seeking assistance from their church, but churches themselves need financial help.

With more redundancies expected in the construction and hospitality industries, he said the scheme was devised to try to give something back to the community.

"During these cold winter months more people than ever will need assistance," he said.

"We believe that often the best vehicle to get assistance to those in need in Bermuda is the churches but they are feeling the strain of the financial demands.

"For the next three months we will offer the churches the opportunity to earn food vouchers from The MarketPlace, which they in turn can use to help those in need."

The spokesman added: "If this programme is extremely successful it could raise hundreds of thousands for the community.

"We think it's a unique initiative because it doesn't cost anybody anything."

The company has already met many church representatives and stresses all denominations are welcome.

The scheme runs until April 30, with the deadline for the final batches May 14. All receipts must be dated January 27-April 30.