A Newcastle food bank said it is struggling to keep up with the rising demand from families who can't afford to eat as the cost of living crisis bites.
Building Futures East in Walker is seeing a sharp increase in the number of people turning to the charity for support as they battle to meet higher food and fuel prices. The organisation relies on donations to feed around 60 people in Walker and Byker each week but says it is seeing that number rise by 10 new food parcels each week, leaving it struggling to keep up.
Last week the charity was forced to put out an urgent appeal for donations on social media after its shelves were left bare. Donations flooded in from generous members of the community but stocks are still running low.
Dawn Emmerson, a work coach at Building Futures East, appealed for people to continue to donate so they can continue providing the vital service that acts as a lifeline for dozens of families.
"Over the last few weeks, it's been really difficult for residents in the area due to the rising food costs and the rise in fuel bills," she said.
"We have seen an increase in demand for the food bank but at the moment our stocks are running low. We do get donations but as quick as they come in they go straight back out.
"We are appealing to people's generosity to try and donate, even if it is just one tin of beans, it helps and makes a difference.
"The food bank ensures that residents get the food they need to take that little bit of pressure off them, so they don't have the worry of, 'am I going to eat or am I going to heat?'"
The food bank works by sending delivery drivers to drop off food parcels twice a week to people who have been referred to the organisation by agencies like the Trussel Trust. It also provides toiletries and says some of its most in-demand items are baby milk and nappies.
It comes as shocking new figures from national charity, FareShare, revealed that between April 2021 and March 2022, it redistributed 1,483 tonnes of food to people at risk of hunger across the North East. That’s the equivalent of 3,532,038 meals.
Building Futures East says that while the charity does what it can to take some of the pressure off people in need, the problem is only going to get worse over the next few months.
Dawn Emmerson said: "Families in Newcastle are struggling to make ends meet. Rising food and energy prices, plus the long-term impact of Covid-19 means people continue to struggle to put food on the table.
"Our emergency food bank delivers parcels directly to people in need and is as necessary now as it was during the pandemic. We can only keep doing this with the continued support from those who donate to our food support project.
"All donations, no matter how small, are gratefully received and reach those in greatest need."
People can donate by dropping off donations of food at the Building Futures East building in Low Yard, Newcastle, or by making a donation to: https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/WalkerEmergencyAppeal
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