A FOODBANK in Ellesmere Port is urging people to donate baby formula as mums are going hungry and struggling to give their newborns nutrients through breast milk.

Elaine Collins and Tracey Anelay-Jones set up 'The People's Pantry' after volunteering at several food banks over the pandemic, giving out food to needy people.

As the demand for food is ever-growing due to more and more families using food banks, demand is also on the up for baby formula.

'These new mums are struggling'

Speaking to the Globe, Elaine said: "This crisis is impacting all of these new mums.

"We are seeing new mums eating from foodbanks week in, week out and not having a very nutritional and healthy diet, in which you need to breastfeed."

Elaine explained that mums who come to her are missing meals to be able to feed their children and only eating processed food available from food banks.

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She added: "These new mums are struggling. 

"I had a father in the other day who was crying saying 'why did we bring this baby into the world?' because he knows what his wife is eating is not healthy for the baby.

"There's nothing fresh at a foodbank, it doesn't vary and you get a set selection.

"I know mums who are breastfeeding that won't feed themselves so they can feed their other children first.

"We're not saying breast isn't best, but if you're not eating a healthy diet, it isn't good for your baby."

Elaine and Tracey have put out an urgent appeal for baby formula to be donated to their foodbank, to give to new mums who are struggling.

Formula can be Cow and Gate, Hungry Baby and Aptamil (Stage one and two).

Elaine said: "I know mums who water down their formula or put something stodgy in it like porridge to stop their baby crying for more food."

The People's Pantry are also doing a 'bread and butter' deal, whereby families can pay £7.50 a week to receive fresh meat and fresh fruit and veg.

For more details about The People's Pantry, visit here.