On the breadline: Food banks in Lancashire

Thousands of people are turning to food banks for help

A record number of people in the North West turned to food banks in the last six months because they cannot afford to feed themselves, a charity says.

The Trussell Trust said its network of food banks across Lancashire, Merseyside and Greater Manchester fed more than 13,500 people since April. This compares to just 10 people in same period last year.

Food Bank Network Development Officer Lynda Battarbee said: "Food banks are becoming increasingly important as people struggle with the rising cost of living and the static nature of income levels.

"In many cases this is forcing people to make difficult decisions between heating and eating, particularly as winter sets in.

"Here in the North West, thousands of people a year are finding themselves going without food and are having to turn to food banks for help."

The reasons range from redundancy or reassessment of benefits to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income.

In addition to 20 Trussell Trust food banks in the region, FareShare North West has over 70 community food groups providing hundreds of people each day with meals, snacks or food parcels.

FareShare works with food manufacturers to stop food being wasted. Every year, 200 tonnes of surplus food are distributed to people in food poverty.

This week, the BBC is looking at food banks, the people who use them and why the need for food handouts is increasing.

Shoppers at Tesco can make food donations at supermarkets all weekend (1 & 2 December), with the help of FareShare and the Trussell Trust.

Selected items (listed) can be donated to the following food banks:

LANCASHIRE

BLACKPOOL

The Bridge Project, Salvation Army Citadel, Raikes Parade, Blackpool FY1 4EL

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 10:00 - 14:00 BST.

Tel: Bev Taylor or Ben, 01253 299835 or 626114

BLACKBURN

Blackburn Food Bank, Unit 2, Brunswick St, Whalley Banks, Blackburn BB2 1NR

Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 11:00 - 14:00 GMT

Tel: Ros Duerden - 01254 672756

[e-mail]

CHORLEY

LivingWaters, 33-45 Bolton Street, Chorley, PR7 3AB

Tuesday or Friday, 10:00-14:00 GMT

Tel: Carol Halton - 07889 757045/ 01257 260050

EAST LANCASHIRE

Community Solutions Lancashire, St James' Old School, Cannon Street, Accrington, BB5 2ER

Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 16:30 GMT

Tel: [phone]

[e-mail]

Food Bank Warehouse, International House, Springhill Road, Burnley, BB11 2LQ

Tuesday & Thursday, 09:00 - 12:00 GMT

MORECAMBE

Morecambe Bay Food Bank, The Gym Methodist Church, Green Street, Morecambe LA4 5HN

Getting ready to open (December 2012)

Tel: Annette Smith - 07591 763 130

[e-mail]

PRESTON

The Salvation Army, Harrington Street, Preston PR1 7BN

Weekdays 9:00 - 15:00 GMT (closed Thursdays)

Tel: Dr Alex Cadogan 01772 555425

PRESTON & SOUTH RIBBLE

Ingol Food Bank

Tel: Lynn Fahy and Debbie Clegg - 07594 738344

http://en-gb.facebook.com/pages/Dovedale-Pride/116960901720308