Surge in London food bank demand over school break

A food bank supplier has seen a large increase in demand over the summer holidays

London's food banks have experienced an "unprecedented" level of demand during the school summer break, a north London food bank supplier has said.

Naomi Russell, the founder of north London Food Bank Aid, said since schools broke up in July, the group had seen a large rise in people needing help.

She explained the group now required about a third more items across its 32 banks to keep up with demand.

Food Bank Aid is urgently trying to raise £75,000 to feed children who are missing out on free school meals during the holidays.

Naomi Russell is the founder of north London charity Food Bank Aid

The group said the cost of living crisis had also meant food banks are seeing fewer people able to donate goods to them directly.

At Southgate Food Bank, mother-of-four Faria said the cost of living crisis was greatly affecting her family.

"It's difficult for me to pay bills and shopping and uniform. It's not easy everything is expensive now," she said.

"You need to get more shopping and whenever you go outside you need to spend something."

Another woman, Jane, said she was grateful for the food bank which she started using four years months ago.

"There is a stigma, I feel embarrassed which is a shame as in the past I have donated but it's the only way.

"I've made some nice connections, nice friends. We all help each other," she said.

Caroline has been helped by the Southgate food bank

Caroline, who has four children, two of whom are home for the school holidays, was also visiting the food bank.

"You are having to feed them more each day," she explained

"They just want more and more snacks. You take them out to the local park, they want an ice cream, that's £3. It's getting harder and harder."