AS the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite, figures out this week show an alarming increase in the number of people using Wirral Foodbank.

Data from the foodbank reveals 7,420 emergency food parcels to people facing hardship across Wirral between April and September – with 2,553 of these going to children. This is an increase of 35% compared to the same period last year.

Richard Roberts, general manager at Wirral Foodbank said: "Sadly, we continue to see an increase in demand for our services.

"Demand is currently outstripping the supply of donations.

"We are grateful for the generosity the community has shown through these difficult times, which is needed now more than ever before.

"Whatever donation, big or small, can make a difference. You can find more information on most needed items on our donate page, where details of all donation points can also be found.

"Why not visit us at Tesco Heswall, Bidston and Rock Ferry on November 30 and December 1 and 2, where we are holding our Christmas food collection. Alternatively, you can download our Reverse Advent Calendar.

"We believe that emergency food is not the solution to poverty, that’s why we work closely with Citizens Advice Wirral, through our project Foodbank Plus.

"The project addresses the underlying reasons why people come to our foodbank. Low income and the cost-of-living crisis is affecting many who attend our foodbank.

"Your support will ensure that we can continue to meet the increase demand on our service.

"In closing can I also thank our incredible volunteers for their tireless commitment."

The Trussell Trust has reported today that 1.5 million food parcels were given out across the UK between April and September – more than ever before for this six-month period.

Speaking about the rising need for emergency food and what can be done to support people facing hardship, Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust, said:  "These statistics are extremely alarming.

"An increasing number of children are growing up in families facing hunger, forced to turn to food banks to survive.

"A generation is growing up believing that it’s normal to see a food bank in every community. This is not right.

"Rising hunger and hardship have devastating consequences for individuals and our communities, damage the nation’s health and hold back our economy.

"People in work, as well as people who cannot work, are increasingly being pushed into debt and forced to turn to a food bank to survive.

"That’s why the UK Government must build on its work to protect people from increasingly severe hardship and commit to putting an Essentials Guarantee into legislation, to embed in our social security system the widely supported principle that, at a minimum, Universal Credit should protect people from going without essentials.

"We recognise this change cannot happen overnight, which is why we are also calling on the Government to urgently confirm in the Autumn Statement that benefits will rise in line with inflation next April and to reduce the burden of debt deductions which drive unacceptable levels of hardship."

WIrral foodbank is situated at Unit 14, Wirral Business Centre on Dock Road in Birkenhead.

There is also one at Seacombe Children's Centre, St James Church in New Brighton and North Birkenhead Development Centre.

You can support Wirral Foodbank by visiting its website here, where you will find full details on opening times and how to donate.

For more details, contact Wirral Foodbank tel: 0151 638 7090 email: enquiries@wirralfoodbank.org.uk