Houghton and Sunderland South MP, Bridget Phillipson visited volunteers at Loaves and Fishes food bank in Easington Lane to find out more about the help it gives to local families. Bridget is campaigning for the government to take action to help families hit by higher food bills and struggling to make ends meet.

Foodbanks are now an unfortunately reality for some families in the Sunderland community. Between April and September 2013 over 350,000 people, 120,000 of them children, received at least three days emergency food from Trussell Trust food banks -; a threefold increase on the same period last year and a dramatic rise from 2009-10 when 41,000 people received food aid.

Bridget Phillipson MP said:

“The cost of living crisis means that those both in and out of work are finding themselves in the same line waiting for their weekly food parcel. It’s not right and the government need to take action.

“The volunteer staff at Hetton New Dawn Group are supporting the local community during these difficult times. I would encourage as many local people as possible to support them in their work.”

Paul Finch, manager of the foodbank said:

“People are desperate. Naturally, local people want a hand up not a hand out and it takes a lot for someone to admit they need support because we are proud locally.

“The economic difficulties we are facing has increased the need for foodbanks.

“Our volunteers do all they can to support hard hit people and will continue to do all we can.”

Hetton New Dawn Foodbank is open 11-1.00 p.m. each Monday.Hetton New Dawn Foodbank welcome all donations – either food or cashand can be contacted as follows:-

Hetton New Dawn Foodbank, Central Point, The Brick Garth, EasingtonLaneTel: 0793 175 7166 email: hettonfoodstore [at] gmail.com