MID Cheshire Foodbank (MCFB) is on hand to help anyone in a food crisis, as more people are squeezed by rising costs and the Universal Credit uplift withdrawal.

MCFB, established in 2012, has a network of 12 food distribution centres across Northwich and Winsford for people in a crisis.

Food is given regardless of the underlying reason for why an individual or family is in crisis, but all clients need to get a referral from one of more than 150 partner referral agencies – covering schools, faith centres, doctor surgeries and community police officers, through to Citizens Advice and the Cheshire West and Chester Council help scheme.

It now expects to see new people through its doors, as those who were ‘just about managing' dip below the breadline due to an increase in living costs.

Volunteer Zoe Langmead explained: “We will see new people coming through.

“The National Insurance and the rising price of petrol/diesel doesn’t affect a lot of our current clients, but it’s the people just above them who we are going to be affected.

“We’re very conscious of trying to reach those people.”

Each food parcel MCFB gives out is nutritionally balanced and provides food for five days, including fresh fruit and vegetables, bread, eggs, food cupboard staples, cleaning and hygiene products, nappies and even pet food.

There are also recipe bags which include all the ingredients someone will need to make a meal, and every parcel comes with a token that allows a free visit to the Cheshire Foodhub Social Grocery at Lostock.

All food distributed by MCFB is sourced through donations of items or money from the public and businesses, and it has more than 100 volunteers.

Northwich Guardian: Anthony Taylor, van and deliveries coordinatorAnthony Taylor, van and deliveries coordinator

Nathan Pardoe, mayor of Winsford and trustee and volunteer of MCFB said: "Demand remains high due to the Universal Credit uplift withdrawal and rising costs.

“This high demand is at the same time as donations fall because people are squeezed by the same cost of living increases.

"For people struggling with the cost of living, we have strong partnerships with Citizens Advice who are the best group to contact.

“The Cheshire West and Chester Council help team can help in some cases too.

“It's a difficult time for many families and hopefully more support from the Government will be forthcoming.

"Mid Cheshire Foodbank is buying stock to make sure there are supplies for anybody that needs help.

“We remain here to help people in food crisis, nobody needs to go hungry."

Another form of food charity available if people are struggling, but not in crisis, is social groceries – waste and sustainability projects that open to anyone, regardless of need.

Northwich Community Support (NCS) was set up as a community initiative during the Covid pandemic, and now holds weekly social groceries where, for a membership charge, people have access to products donated by businesses which would normally have gone to landfill.

Meanwhile, Cheshire Foodhub has a wider remit and operates as a central point into which businesses donate excess food and items from their supply chains, which is then distributed to projects throughout Cheshire.

Alongside this, the Foodhub’s social grocery at Lostock is open to anyone in the community and for a £4 weekly charge, customers can choose more than 16 food items.

Catherine Lawton, project manager at MCFB, said: “Northwich is fortunate to be so well served by these food charities.

“The charities’ complementary offerings have made a big difference to people in Northwich.

Northwich Guardian: What a family would receive when they get a food parcelWhat a family would receive when they get a food parcel

“Two years ago, demand for support from MCFB was evenly split between the Winsford and Northwich areas – the demand in Northwich has now fallen to 40 per cent as more people discover the social groceries.

“However, that still represents more than 50,000 meals provided in Northwich by MCFB each year, through the generosity of the public and businesses.

“Covid presented new challenges to us all and there has been some lasting effects.

“The supermarket donations to MCFB have halved as more households do their weekly shop online.

“So maybe next time you see the collection baskets in the supermarkets, don’t walk past, just give one item to Mid Cheshire Foodbank.

“Multiplied by the thousands of others that live in Northwich, this adds up to a big difference that you are making to people living locally.”