THE Mid Cheshire Foodbank has fed 150 people over the past week, including 72 children.

With a warehouse based at Barlow Drive business centre in Winsford – as well as drop off point across mid Cheshire – the foodbank relies on food and cash donations.

As we approach the end of the school holidays, which is a busy time of year for foodbanks across the country, the foodbank has outlined its urgent requirements for the coming week.

While all food donations, large or small, are always welcome, there are short supplies of cordial, tinned fruit, tinned potatoes and UHT milk this week.

Foodbank volunteer and Winsford town councillor Nathan Pardoe told the Guardian summer and Christmas were the key spikes each year – but said more volunteers were needed year-round.

Nathan said: "Before the summer holidays children are on free school meals, and suddenly that stops for six weeks. It's difficult.

"The stereotype of a foodbank is that it’s people on benefits, but the truth is very different. There is work poverty, and issues with universal credit and the wait period.

"There are all sorts of myths about it, but it’s a voucher referral system so verified need."

With an average of between 70 and 80 emergency three-day food packages distributed each week, it takes a lot of people to keep the operation running.

Nathan, who is able to give time on busy weekdays due to being self-employed, said: "Logistically, it’s quite a big operation – sorting crates, loading, driving.

"It takes quite a lot of volunteers to make it tick over – you need a lot of people just to stay on top of it.

"Unlike in the past, the circumstances for people aren’t getting any better. It was started as a crisis intervention and it’s becoming a long-term offering.

"The sad reality is, without the foodbank a lot of people would genuinely go hungry."

As well as food, cash donations are also welcome at justgiving.com/midcheshirefoodbank and are used to buy supplies.

The warehouse is open on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 9am to noon, while drop-off point in Winsford include All Your Appliances, Asda, Co-op Funeralcare, and St Joseph's Catholic Church during mass.

In Northwich, you can leave donations at Abbeycroft Vets, Asda, Co-op Funeralcare, Tesco, Waitrose and St Helen Witton Church on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.

There are also boxes at F Hayes Funeralcare in Barnton, Sainsbury's in Hartford, and St Mary's Church in Weaverham from 10am to 2pm on Saturdays.

In Knutsford, they are located at Costa Coffee and Booths.

Last year, 6569 three-day emergency food supplies were given to people in need.

See more at midcheshire.foodbank.org.uk or email info@midcheshirefoodbank.org.uk