Food bank demand is higher than ever - founder

Neil Reid says the Big Food Project has delivered 400 tonnes of food in the past year

A man who set up a food bank in a seaside resort has said it is expecting one of its busiest festive seasons ever, as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.

The Big Food Project in Blackpool has distributed 400 tonnes of surplus food to 120 organisations from Lancaster to Southport this year.

Founder and chairman Neil Reid said it was seeing a year-on-year increase in demand as people felt "the pinch" and "families are being squeezed" with ever rising bills.

He said he was "hugely grateful" for the support the charity received to get food to people who need it as it looked to expand next year.

The Big Food Project, which has about 150 volunteers, was set up in 2012 and initially started as Blackpool Food Bank.

It is not a traditional food bank but a redistributor of surplus food from supermarkets and manufacturers "to get that food into people and not into a hole in the ground or landfill, because that's where it would normally go", Mr Reid said.

The Big Food Project redistributes surplus food to as far afield as Lancaster and Southport

"People generally are feeling the pinch; people are being squeezed; families are being squeezed," he said.

"This winter again we've just got used to a higher energy costs, but they have gone up a little bit again."

He added: "Prices are still going up in the shops."

Mr Reid said financial struggles were "heightened" at Christmas particularly for families trying "to feed the kids and buy them a present".

The charity has also developed what it calls "the big food truck" which is like a mobile shop where people can pay for food at a fraction of supermarket prices.

Mr Reid said people could buy a family parcel "for about £6.50 and they get about £35 worth of food".

It currently goes to four locations in Blackpool with the charity aiming to expand the service next year.

'Community spirit'

It is a similar story at food banks elsewhere in the county with an increase in demand coupled with a dip in donations.

Linda Currin, of The Olive Branch in Lancaster, said there had been fewer donations this year and it desperately needed more food on the shelves for those in need.

"We actually have some empty shelves at the moment where we would usually have full shelves.

"Demand is up on last year by about 10% but the stock is low."

Gill Fourie, who runs Blackburn Foodbank, is urging people to help over the busy festive period.

She said: "Donate something; don't do nothing.

"Either donate some food, donate some money or donate a bit of time if you can or simply look out for your own neighbour.

"Let's get community spirit going before Christmas."