A FOODBANK in North Yorkshire say they can no longer rely on food donations for parcels and are having to fund items themselves, due to the decline that has come amid the rise in the cost of living.

Ryedale Community Foodbank said donations have declined as people can no longer afford to donate.

The foodbank is located in Norton, on Howe Road; Pickering, at the Hungate Centre; and in Kirkbymoorside, at the Methodist Church Rooms.

Chair of the trustees at Ryedale Community Foodbank, and also Mayor of Norton, Cllr Di Keal, explained that the foodbank had to spend £500 on food in May and £2,000 in July to ensure they had enough food to feed those accessing the foodbank.

The councillor added that in July the foodbank fed 526 people, compared to 217 in June.

In addition to this, the demographic of people that are using the foodbank has changed.

Ms Keal said that previously the majority of those using the foodbank were unemployed people, but now a large amount are people who work on low wages and can no longer afford to get by.

Following Ofgem’s latest announcement that the energy price cap will rise to £3,549 from October 1, Ms Keal fears the "perfect storm" is brewing for the months ahead.

“People are frightened. They don’t know how to cope,” she said.

For some people, Ms Keal added it will be a case of “eat or heat.”

“(It’s) an appalling position for anyone to be in,” she said,

“As a food bank we will do everything to support, but we need the financial backing to do it.”

“I think we will have another increase in demand at the foodbank.”

“I am worried people won’t donate.”

Ms Keal said government intervention is now needed.

She explained that organisations such as foodbanks and Citizens Advice can only go so far to help without “solid financial support.”

“(The government) need to put some direct financial support into people’s pockets – they need to give direct to households,” she said.

Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, said he would “expect and welcome” further levels of support to help during the cost-of-living crisis to be announced next week after the next UK prime minister has been appointed on Monday, September 5.

Mr Hollinrake said: “The rises cost of living are putting extreme pressure on many household budgets.

“In May of this year the government stepped in to provide at least £400 of support for all households and up to £1200 for the lowest income households.

“Now that we know that the October rise in energy cap will be around £700 higher than anticipated I expect and would welcome an announcement next week on further levels of support.”

Ryedale Community Foodbank is in Norton, Howe Road, on Wednesdays from 10am-12pm; in Kirkbymoorside, Methodist Church Rooms, on Thursdays from 9.30am to 11.30am; and in Pickering, Hungate Centre, on Thursdays from 4-6pm.