Slough Foodbank has seen an increase of 47 per cent more users compared to this time last year.

This comes as the cost-of-living crisis is driving food banks to 'breaking point' with almost 1.3 million emergency parcels given to people in hunger over just six months, according to the Trussell Trust.

In the same period, 320,000 people have been forced to turn to food banks for the first time.

Slough Foodbank manager Laura Cole said: "We've got more families coming in and we are seeing an increase in the number of people coming to us for the first time.

"We are seeing a huge increase on where we were the same time last year."

In October 886 food parcels were handed out, up 47 per cent on last year.

This figure breaks down into 582 adults (up 50 per cent on 2021) and 304 children (up 43 per cent on 2021).

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Laura adds: "Donations are coming in, but we are still not quite meeting the demand."

This means the foodbank is spending around £1,000 each month to make up for the shortfall of items.

"We are braced for a busier time than ever, but when government payments have been made we have seen a slight improvement in numbers, meaning less people needing us," Laura continues.

"But that support is short term and I don't think we are going to see an improvement long time for some time to come yet."

Last month saw dozens of donations for the bumper harvest.

"We are very fortunate in the fact that we have just had harvest and we've had quite a good response to our harvest campaign.

"We were expecting donations, especially around harvest season, to be much less than usual. Whereas people have rallied and it is very humbling to see how generous people are even when a lot more people are struggling.

"A big thank you to the Slough community for looking after each other."

The foodbank is asking for more donations of long life products such as, long-life fruit juice, tinned meat, tinned vegetables, tinned fruit, custard and rice pudding.

Luxury items such as mince pies are also in demand as the foodbank begins preparations for their Christmas parcels.

If you wish to get involved with the foodbank there are three ways you can help; you can donate your time by volunteering, donate food or spread the message.

Slough Foodbank operates across five hubs, located in Slough, Langley, Cippenham, Britwell and Iver.

For information about opening times visit slough.foodbank.org.uk/locations and to give help visit slough.foodbank.org.uk/give-help-2