King's Centre foodbank in Darlington sees huge increase in demand

The King's Centre, in Darlington, has seen demand for their foodbank rise by a staggering 40 per cent, with working families, the elderly, and even a former millionaire using their services. 

They have urged the government to gain a better understanding of the people who bear the brunt of the cost of living crisis. 

This comes as the Trussell Trust has revealed 67,000 emergency food parcels were delivered to residents across the North East, leaving foodbanks at "breaking point". 

Read more: 67,000 food parcels claimed by North East families in 2022 period

Concerningly, charities have reported that an increasing number of working people, families, and the elderly are having to turn to charity to stave off hunger. 

Between January and October 2022 the foodbank helped 1,300 families, and 200 single parents, providing over 7,200 food parcels to the needy, already surpassing their total for last year by nearly 1,000.  

Graham Kennedy, Church Elder and Centre Manager says that their organisation, which is a church, foodbank, and warmth bank is "living on the edge financially". 

As a church, volunteers are finding themselves depending on faith alone as they face a crisis of poverty in their community. 

Pasta is left on shelves as people cannot afford to cook it. (Image: Phoebe Abruzzese)

Staring into the financial abyss, Mr Kennedy says that they are in a "moment of trusting that God will provide."

"If people have a need, we will try to meet it. We will continue to run our foodbank and warm space until we don't have the resources to keep the heating on ourselves."

Tony Colthup, a volunteer and pastoral group leader, added: "We are seeing an increasing number of working people needing our help, which is incredibly disheartening."

Some families are struggling so much that they are having to consider surrendering their pets to shelters.

A volunteer from the foodbank said: "We had one family who had done everything they could to cope with the cost of living crisis, and was having to think about getting rid of their pets as a last-ditch resort to cut down household costs."

The church has urged the government to gain a better understanding of the individuals that need help the most. 

"There are people who really can't take any kind of burden," Mr Kennedy said.

Read more: Cost of living crisis: 4 out of 10 Universal Credit claimants 'skipping meals' to survive

For example, though pasta has been a traditional staple for food donations, some of the individuals they help are returning it, as they cannot afford to boil water for 10 to 15 minutes. 

He believes that the government's current tactic of offering financial aid to everyone is the wrong way to go: "It runs the risk of worsening the gap between the rich and the poor. There are people who need this help, and people who don't - though there is no one type of person who comes to us."

"Anyone can find themselves needing a foodbank, and it is difficult to see so many people in what is probably the worst period of their lives. 

"Only last week, we had a woman say she had been a millionaire this time last yea, but had lost everything."

Still, the church has been bolstered by the generosity of the local community. 

Mr Kennedy said: "I get around six applications for volunteers every week and local businesses such as EE and Cummings Sales and Service send down teams of volunteers to help."

"We have also had people donating their fuel allowance to us, as they don't need it, which is heartening."

Read next:

Ushaw Moor death: Forensic officers investigating incident

King Charles 'deserved it'- says York egging suspect Patrick Thellwell

Ambulance and fire services attend George Bolam fire in Sedgefield

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to The Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here.