The MV Dutch Runner is tied up in Souris for the winter. (Souris Harbour Authority)

A ship tied up in eastern P.E.I. for the winter has made a donation of food worth $3,000 to the local food bank.

The MV Dutch Runner, a small cargo vessel, is tied up for the winter in Souris. Systems on board the boat were being shut down and the ship's hold still contained a large store of frozen meat, fish, vegetables, bread, cakes and canned goods.

Rather than have the stores spoil, the ship's captain arranged to have them dropped at the food bank.

The manager of the Souris food bank told the newspaper the Eastern Graphic the donation will make helping clients this winter a lot less stressful. While lots of donations tend to come in before Christmas, the first few months of the year is usually slow.

The donation will be further good news for Souris in the spring. Local stores should get a boost when the ship has to stock up again before sailing in April.