A charity that operates a number of food banks across Merseyside said the cost of living crisis has created a "tsunami of need".
New figures released this week by the Trussell Trust revealed 1.3m emergency food parcels were provided to people across the country between April and September this year, with nearly half going to children. Worryingly that means a third more parcels have been provided this year compared to the same period in 2021.
The figures in Merseyside also showed nearly 10,000 more food parcels have been given out between April and September this year. Over 37,000 food parcels were handed out to people across Merseyside in the six-month period. But these figures only cover the food parcels handed out by the charity itself, with a number of other organisations also providing support in the area.
READ MORE: Mum's desperate plea as she is unable to feed her little girl
In Liverpool nearly 11,000 food parcels were handed out to people, with over 3,800 parcels given to children. Other areas that have noticed drastic increases include Sefton, with 8,822 parcels handed out - up from 6,084, and Knowsley, where over 7,000 parcels were given to vulnerable people.
The Trussell Trust, which supports more than 1,300 food bank centres in the UK, said the cost of living crisis has created a "tsunami of need" as people struggle to feed themselves. The charity warned food banks are at "breaking point", both physically and mentally, and are set to face the hardest winter yet as they expect to provide more than 7,000 emergency food parcels a day on average in the next six months.
The soaring cost of food and energy has caused unseen levels of demand for support. Nationally, nearly 330,000 people have been referred to a food bank for the first time.
And a recent survey by the charity found one in five food banks were from working households. Most worryingly, demand has now outstripped donations for the first time in the charity's history.
Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “These new statistics show that, even in summer months, people are struggling to afford the essentials and we are expecting that this winter will be the hardest yet for food banks and the people they support. This is not right.
“We know that with the right support and a stable and sufficient income, people don’t need to turn to food banks for support. Over the last few years, the government has acted to protect people who are struggling, and this action has made a difference. They must now act again: with swift support now to help people through the winter, and with vision for the longer-term to ensure that social security is always enough to weather challenging times."
Receive newsletters with the latest news, sport and what's on updates from the Liverpool ECHO by signing up here .
READ NEXT:
Murderer tried to kill girlfriend's ex-lovers hours after killing her
I'm A Celebrity viewers 'work out' why Sue Clever is exempt from eating trial
Life in one of Merseyside's trendiest up and coming areas
'Beautiful' LIPA student with 'gorgeous soul' dies suddenly
Paedophile attempted to groom 'girl' by sending her pictures of his false leg
