Armed forces veterans and working mums are just some of the people struggling to afford basic food and supplies in Liverpool.
A special report from BBC Breakfast today shone a light on the struggles many in Liverpool are currently facing amid the cost of living crisis. The programme featured a live report from the food pantry run at the Kensington Fields Community Centre.
The programme heard heartbreaking stories of families having to choose between paying for food or putting the heating on. Speaking on the programme, Michelle O'Dwyer who runs the Baytree Catering company which works with the community centre in Kensington, said: "A lot of people are coming in who are working full time but are struggling to make ends meet.
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"It is absolutely heart-breaking that people are going to work so hard all day and then coming home and having to choose between eating or putting the heating on. A lady I met the other day who was struggling, she's studying, she's got a degree, she's got three kids and she's working. She's doing all that and she's struggling to make ends meet."
She added: "There are a lot of volunteers who are now struggling with the influx of people in crisis.
The programme also heard from Ian Tumilty who works to support veterans in Liverpool. He said: "We support veterans and their families through their mental health issues, which can have big impacts on things like their employment opportunities.
"They are reliant on us, they sacrificed their mental health for this country and they are really struggling."
Food pantries like the one at Kensington Fields are appearing all across this region. For many they are seen as a more positive alternative to foodbanks and see members pay a small fee for a good amount of food and supplies. With the cost of living biting hard, they are becoming essential for many in Liverpool.
Speaking to the BBC, volunteer and user of the Kensington pantry Myra said: "You pay £3.50 for nearly £20 worth of food. So that's a saving of £16.50." Asked what she is spending that extra £16.50 on at the moment, Myra added: "The gas and the leccy." Adding that her energy bills have risen by more than £100 a month."
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