Witney Foodbank urging anyone struggling to reach out for help
The charity say they've been busier than usual over Easter holidays
A charity supporting people in Oxfordshire who can't afford basic essentials like food are urging anyone who needs it to reach out for help.
Witney Foodbank say that with children being off over the Easter Holidays, families aren't able to rely on free school meals and breakfast clubs.
Mick Morris, Chair at the Foodbank said: "Easter is always a pretty busy time for us. It's one of those times of the year when kids aren't in school and for those who do live on school meals, it puts additional pressures on parents financially.
He added: “With kids being at home, they will empty the fridge within minutes. I've got two teenage girls, and food doesn't tend to last very long when they're in the house.
“We're not struggling at the minute, but there's so many families out there who are, and we work with a lot of people who are in work because they just cannot afford month on month in these in these current times.
“It goes back to the old adage that we're all one paycheck away from crisis.”
Figures from the Trussell Trust show between April 2023, and March last year - the number of people across the country that used a food bank for the first time was 655,000.
UK-wide, the charity distributed more than 3.1 million emergency food parcels to people facing hardship - which is an increase of 94% over the past five years.
More than 1.1 million of those parcels were given out to children.
Across the South East of England, the number of parcels given out by the Trussell Trust increased by 123%.
Mr Morris is also urging anyone who is struggling to reach out for help.
He said: “Don't be afraid to reach out. There shouldn't be any stigma attached to asking for help, I know that's easier said than done, but it's really straightforward to get a referral and we're here to help.
“There's always somebody with a friendly ear who’s willing to have a chat and signpost you to additional help.”