Volunteers at Trinity Foodbank have expressed their gratitude to businesses, supermarkets and the public, saying that they “just couldn’t run without them”.  

After seeing an increasing number of service users, the food bank has been asking for donations and sharing their most recent success stories from over the festive period.    

Volunteer Gill Smith said: “I don't think people realise how tough it actually is and that many service users aren't who you would expect to need help.  

“People are reluctant to come and are embarrassed but they shouldn't be.  

Trinity Foodbank donations (Image: Public)

“For many at the moment, it is a case of paying all your bills and then being left with nothing. 

“A lady recently visited who has a house, and a mortgage and doesn’t claim any benefits however, last year her husband died and she ended up having to spend all their savings.  

“She didn't know, where to go to get help or what she was entitled to and hadn't used any gas in the house for over three months because it was so expensive. 

“She couldn’t even afford petrol for her car so we delivered an emergency food parcel and showed her what benefits she could claim and where to find help.”  

Trinity Foodbank present donations (Image: Public)

Around 100 people across Radcliffe will also be receiving festive hampers as more than £1,000 was raised by staff and customers at The Withins, part of Next Chapter Healthcare. 

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Tina Harrison MBE, a volunteer admin member at the food bank, said: “During the cost-of-living crisis this has been a welcome respite for so many of our families. 

“They had been assisting our food bank for a few months by dropping food at Christian Wakeford's (Bury South MP) office in Radcliffe and wanted to do more for the Festive Season. 

“They bought all the items themselves and will make them up ready for the Radcliffe First councillors and Cllr Jo Lancaster, who will assist in the delivery on Friday, December 23.” 

Trinity Foodbank donations (Image: Public)

Although a huge show of community effort, Gill said it is upsetting that this must be done.

She said: “Recently a young lady came in with her child shortly after its birthday.  

“Having just turned five-years-old, she had been taken off income support and put on Universal Credit so she had to start looking for work. 

Read more: Radcliffe food bank's 'desperate' plea for help

“Unfortunately, due to the postal strikes, she didn't and still hasn't, recieved the letter.

“By the time she contacted the relevant people, they said she wasn't going to get any money until mid-January and would have had to go through Christmas with nothing.”  

After coming to the food bank, volunteers were able to contact certain people to bring the payment forward and also passed on a food parcel.  

Trinity Foodbank donations (Image: Public)

Gill added that a couple visited recently whose benefits totalled £700, and like many other stories that the volunteers hear, by the end of the month they had little left.  

She said: “It's situations like that where people can't afford treats or Christmas presents, let alone holiday and it's sad to see.  

“This is why we are also giving out presents to those in need.

"We've had people volunteering to wrap presents and had so many donations.  

“We are also holding our drop-in café and warm hub on Fridays with breakfast, free Wi-Fi and people there giving advice from agencies and the council.”  

The food bank added it still needs more food supplies but that it has been brilliant to see the community pull together in this time of need.