The number of emergency food parcels provided by Rutland Foodbank for local people in crisis rose by almost a third year-on-year.

The Oakham-based foodbank provided 1,113 three-day emergency food parcels between April 2018 to March 2019. Of these, 484 were for children.

The figure represents a 31% increase on the same period last year.

David Clark, Rutland Foodbank chairman of trustees, said: "We are so grateful for the generosity of the people of Rutland who donate food and money, and for our volunteers who enable us to meet this need in the community."

The foodbank attributes the local increase primarily to people struggling on low income, benefit delays and benefit changes - including the five-week wait associated with Universal Credit.

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

The local figure feed into a larger national picture with a record increase in food bank use across the UK reported by the Trussell Trust.

Rutland Foodbank, at the rear of 40 Melton Road, Oakham, provides three days' nutritionally-balanced emergency food and support to local people in crisis who are referred to the project.

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It is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

For more information about Rutland Foodbank visit the website by clicking the red button below.