A Cumbrian food bank said it was struggling to keep up demand due to food price rises.
The Salvation Army in Penrith said it had noticed a sharp decline in donations over recent months.
It said as food price inflation continued to remain high and more people were pushed into poverty, they were struggling to make ends meet and were no longer able to donate stock.
As a result, the food bank said it was under pressure to meet the demand from the local community in times of crisis.
The food bank, which runs from The Salvation Army’s church and community centre on Hunter Lane, has always relied on donations but as the rising cost of essential products means more people are having to change their shopping habits, donations have been impacted as more people face financial strain.
Major Carole Donaldson, church leader of The Salvation Army in Penrith said: “There have been peaks and troughs in donations over recent years, but we have never seen depletion in stock quite like we are experiencing at the moment.
“The stock on our shelves is running dangerously low.
“We know that times are tough for everyone and historically the people who used to generously donate items for our food parcels are now struggling with the high cost of living, some even joining the back of the food bank queue themselves and now accessing the support they were once able to give.
“It is a very worrying time, and we are in urgent need of donations to ensure this much needed service can continue. Any donations we do get are a blessing.”
Through its food bank, The Salvation Army provides key cupboard staples and non-perishable food items such as tinned potatoes, pasta and long-life milk, but has found the need to also provide toiletries and household essentials like shower gel, deodorant and toilet paper as more households now require support outside of basic food needs.
Items can be dropped off at donation stations in Aldi, Morrisons, Booths, Sainsbury’s, Marks and Spencer and the church and community centre on Hunter Lane.
Major Donaldson added: “Accessing a food bank should only ever be an emergency measure but as more people struggle, getting support is becoming the norm which is incredibly sad to see.
“People cannot afford their basic needs. Any money they do have is being swallowed up by bills, childcare costs and just trying to survive and we urge anyone struggling to get in touch as we will help.”
For anyone that isn’t able to physically donate items, financial donations can be made directly to the work of The Salvation Army in Penrith by visiting www.salvationarmy.org.uk/penrith.
For anyone in need of food bank support, call the Penrith team om 01768 866732.
