The figures were revealed by the Christian charity the Trussell Trust to coincide with World Food Day (October 16).

The charity has a network of 270 foodbanks and says that three new ones open up each week to help meet the growing demand for emergency food in the UK. Dozens of Baptist churches either operate foodbanks or are involved in their running.

 

The figures have increased markedly since last year. The Trussell Trust's foodbank network has fed almost 110,000 people across the UK since April 2012, compared to 128,697 people in total during the 2011-12 financial year. This latter figure was in itself a 100 per cent increase on 2010-11.

The rising cost of food and fuel combined with static incomes, high unemployment and changes to benefits have seen increasing numbers turn to foodbanks over the last eighteen months.

It fears that rises in food and fuel bills this winter could force more Britons into a crisis where they cannot afford to eat. Last week came news that British Gas and Npower customers were set for rises of almost 10 per cent in their bills.

Trussell Trust Executive Chairman Chris Mould said, 'Many low-income working families are living on a knife edge. This rise in food prices could be enough to tip them into poverty, especially as winter approaches and heating costs increase. Christmas is looking bleak for thousands of UK families.'

Mr Mould encouraged more churches to open foodbanks. He said, 'The good news is that at a time of growing difficulty for people on low-incomes, churches and communities across the country are pulling out the stops to start new foodbanks and people are donating more food to help those in crisis on their doorsteps.

'We're encouraging more churches to consider opening a foodbank in their town provide emergency food to local people in crisis. Our vision is to see a foodbank in every community, creating a nation where no-one has to go hungry.'

The Trussell Trust hopes that World Food Day's campaign to fight hunger will help to raise the profile of the growing problem of UK food poverty and encourage more people to help their neighbours in need.

To mark the day it has launched a 'Give it up for Foodbank' campaign urging people to give up one luxury for a day or a week and donate the proceeds to help stop UK hunger.