Newark's Foodbank collected and distributed food for 2,014 clients in 2018.

The number of families needing to use the services of Newark’s foodbank has increased.

Newark Foodbank has reported a 10.5% increase in the number of people asking for three days of emergency food relief over the past 12 months.

From April 2018 to the end of March 2019, the Foodbank collected and distributed donations of 26.4 tonnes of food, providing food for 2,014 clients ­— 1,325 adults and 689 children ­— which is an increase from 19.9 tonnes compared with the previous 12 months.

These latest figures are a reverse of the trend from the two previous years, when the Foodbank had experienced a reduction of clients year on year.

Steve Charnock, chairman of Newark Foodbank’s trustees, said: “While the increase in use of the foodbank in Newark is lower than that seen nationally, it is still disappointing that unlike the two previous years, we now appear to be following the national trend.

“It is, however, encouraging to see that the number of clients who used the foodbank more than three times in a six-month period has decreased again this year, with only 5% of clients presenting themselves more than three times, compared with 8% last year.”

The main reasons that clients have been referred to the Newark Foodbank were low income (37%) delays in receiving benefits (21%) a change in benefit (17%) and debt (9%).

Steve said that thanks to the generosity of the people of Newark, they never go short of supplies of food essentials, but they are always in need of toiletries and sanitary products.

At present the foodbank is in need of toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, washing liquids, household products, soap, and especially men’s razors because these are known to be expensive.

Steve said: “A lot of people think that people repeatedly come to the foodbank, but in fact 85% of people who come don’t come more than three times in six months. If they do, we make sure that they are getting the right help and support they need.”

Newark Foodbank originally operated as an organisation under the umbrella of Barnbygate Methodist Church, but after discussion, it was decided that the Foodbank should register as an independent charitable organisation, and Newark Foodbank became a charity in February 2015.

The Newark Foodbank was set up under the auspices of Churches Together in Newark and the surrounding area, and is part of a national foodbank network under the Trussell Trust, which runs more than 400 foodbanks.

If anyone would like to make a donation of food to the Newark Foodbank, you can find the charity’s many local collection points, and more information, by logging on to newark.foodbank.org.uk