A CHURCH food bank has launched an urgent appeal for donations during a period of unprecedented demand from families struggling to cope during the recession.
Volunteers at St Catherine’s Church in Agbrigg, Wakefield, say needy families are walking up to six miles to collect food parcels.
The charity is handing out ten parcels per week and supplies are running low.
Rev Helen Collins of St Catherine’s Church said: “There has been a massive increase in demand on the service and last week our supplies were running really low.
“We used to get one or two people a week at an absolute maximum until very recently.
“We have had a real surge in the number of people coming to us which reflects the economic situation.
“The common thing that people are saying when they come in is, ‘I’m not the kind of person who would usually need this kind of help.’
“They don’t expect to be in this situation but circumstances have conspired against them. We don’t judge anyone, we just want to help them.” The food parcels contain essential basics including pasta and tinned vegetables.
Rev Collins added: “The people we see have reached a crisis point in their lives.
“Some have been made redundant and are waiting for their benefits to come through.
“Our aim is that people are not reliant on us for food - it is only in an emergency.
“There isn’t an inexhaustible supply of food and we want it to do to the people who really need it.”
To donate to the food bank, visit the Doncaster Road church, or call 01924 211130.
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