Wirral Foodbank is one of the largest in the UK

Lynda Battarbee from charity the Trussell Trust said the national average of the number of people fed and supported by foodbanks across the UK is 2,243, making Wirral’s one of the biggest in the UK. The bank’s annual report shows Wirral fed and supported 10,622 people during 2014-15, including 3,750 children.

The meeting saw the appointment of new manager Richard Roberts who said: “The demand on the foodbank increases year on year.

“In the first two months of this year there has been an unprecedented demand with an increase of 28% in the amount of food distributed to local people in need compared to this time last year.”

The Foodbank recently received a generous donation from the Mayor’s Charity, which enabled them to renew their failing telephone and IT systems.

He continued: “Of most concern are those coming to one of our 15 centres and telling us that they do not have the means to cook the food.

“One of our centres reported that a few days after Christmas people were asking for candles as they had been without electricity over the Christmas period.”

“Food and fuel poverty go hand in hand – what is the point of food when you cannot afford to cook it!”

According to the report the Foodbank handed out 102 tonnes of food during 2014-15.

Wirral Foodbank relies on generous donations, the key items which are needed are tinned veg, tinned fruit, tinned tomatoes and pasta sauce, long grain rice, UHT Milk and squash.

Anyone who would like to help can drop donations off at most Co-operative stores, local libraries, Tesco Heswall, Bidston and Rock Ferry, Sainsbury’s Upton.

For further information on how to donate visit www.wirralfoodbank.org.uk.