THE number of people receiving food parcels from Carlisle Food Bank has doubled over the last year.

The number of adults using the food donation service increased from 55 to 139 over the last year whilst the number of children requiring food parcels has increased from 39 to 81.

Carlisle Food Bank has been in operation for the last 10 years and helps support clients with essential groceries.

The service exists for all walks of life and is a welcoming friendly support network. 

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Stephanie Humes, manager, explained that referrals had risen for a number of reasons including cuts to Universal Credit and cost of living.

She said: "We are seeing an awful lot of homeless people using our service and working families.

"There has been an increase in school referrals over the last few months.

"Since the £20 [cut] to Universal Credit in October we have also seen an increase."

The explained that Carlisle Food Bank has a network of more than 45 volunteers including delivery drivers and food packers. 

She added: "We get people from all walks of life and professions we do not judge everyone is welcome here"

The food donation has a list of of requires necessities to help support people 

The shopping list register includes meat, potatoes, tuna, UHT milk, tea bags, biscuits, cereal, sandwich spread.

Stephanie added: "We mainly rely on food donations  but we do take cash donations." 

Meanwhile North Lakes Food Banks are also braced for more people using their services in the coming months

In 2021 NLB processed 2500 vouchers for emergency food parcels and fed 5,156 people including 1,668 children.

Of those figures 51% were single and living alone.

30% were families or single parent families.

On average North Lakes Food Banks fed around 450 vulnerable people a month.

Families are also provided with lunch packs for kids during the school holidays.

Last Christmas they fed 749 Children from 416 different families.

If you would like to support Carlisle Food bank click here.

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