WREXHAM Foodbank has given out almost 5,000 emergency parcels in the last year, with more than a quarter going to children.

Sally Ellinson, who runs the foodbank on Dean Road, Borras, says the average five week wait for Universal Credit payments has been one of the main reasons for the shocking rise in demand.

Demand for the foodbank in Wrexham, in the 12 months from April 2018 to the end of last month, has grown almost 20 per cent on the previous year.

In total 4,984 emergency food parcels were given to local people in last year, according to Wrexham Foodbank's figures.

These three day emergency food parcels were provided between April 2018 to March 2019, and of this number, 1,635 went to children.

The foodbank's figures feed into a larger national picture with a record increase in food bank use across the UK reported by the Trussell Trust.

Wrexham Foodbank is backing calls from the Trussell Trust to ensure the benefits system is able to protect people from poverty.

The figures from Wrexham Foodbank are a 19 per cent increase on the same period last year. The charity believes the local increase is due to people struggling with continued issues with benefit payments and issues with Universal Credit such as the five-week wait for payment.

Wrexham Foodbank shares the concerns of other food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network about Universal Credit – it is not the only benefit payment people referred to the food bank have experienced problems with, but the issues faced by local people moving onto the new system are significant.

The food bank has needed to give emergency food and support to people who are waiting at least five-weeks for a first Universal Credit payment, not able to access support or receiving payments that don’t cover the cost of essentials.

Sally Ellinson, manager of Wrexham Foodbank said: “No one in the Wrexham area should need a food bank’s help and we want to see an end to local people needing emergency food at all.

"It doesn’t have to be this way - our benefits system is supposed to protect us all from being swept into poverty. Universal Credit should be part of the solution but currently the five week wait is leaving many without enough money to cover the basics. This isn’t right.

“Until we reach a future where food banks are no longer needed, we’ll continue to provide vital support when it matters most through our six distribution centres.

"We’re dedicated to ensuring that people in our community without enough money for food are able to access emergency support. Our vital work in the community has only been possible in the last year because of the incredible generosity shown by local people in donating food, toiletries, time and funds. Thank you.”

The running costs for the food bank are raised locally to enable them to continue their work.

Costs include warehouse space, to sort and stock donated food, a van to pick up donated food and deliver to distribution centres, and other overheads like utilities and insurances.

The food bank welcomes any new offers of help with funding – local businesses, organisations and individuals interested in supporting the food bank’s work can find out more at www.wrexhamfoodbank.org.uk or by emailing info@wrexham.foodbank.org.uk.