A FOODBANK in Cradley Heath gave out more essentials than ever last month as the number of people desperate for food in Cradley Heath rocketed.

The Cradley Heath Community Link Foodbank has been besieged by people needing food due to unemployment, illness and an increase in benefits being withdrawn due to sanctions.

CHCL has teamed up with the Black Country Foodbank and Tesco in Cradley Heath to cope with the demand for food at its High Street shop.

Volunteer Nicola Jones believes the increase in demand is due to an upsurge in poverty in the town.

She said: "Last month was our busiest ever and it shows that it is really getting hard out there with people continually struggling to pay the bills.

"Jobs are being lost and we are seeing the number of people having their benefits withdrawn due to sanctions rise too, this is leaving families with nothing to live on until payments are reinstated.

"We are seeing a lot of parents paying for their children's food but forgoing their own dinners and having to get food from us."

She added: "We are also getting a lot of people being referred to us from their doctors and sure start centres as the lack of food is causing people to be ill."

CHCL opened following the closure of St Luke’s Church is offering a variety of facilities including the foodbank every Thursday between 1pm and 3pm and 5pm and 7pm.

On Saturday the group held a food drive at Tesco urging customers to donate some of their shopping for those in need.

Miss Jones said: "The food drive was a massive success and we were overwhelmed by the generosity of shoppers throughout the day.

"We were also delighted to have Cradley Heath and Old Hill Councillor Ann Shackleton helping as she is so well known in the town."

The link is open Mondays and Wednesdays for people to drop in with queries, problems, information or just a chat.

Miss Jones added: "We currently have 15 volunteers but are appealing for more now so we can continue providing all our various services which include help and advice, children's craft clubs, photography club, table top sales, computer lessons and CV writing."

For more information about CHCL phone 01384 412511.