A FOODBANK is calling for donations after experiencing a spike in demand at its centres in Richmond and Barnard Castle.

Storehouse at Influence Church, which has bases in Victoria Road, Richmond, and Galgate, Barnard Castle, has provided more than 55,000 meals to people in need since its inception in 2012.

Paige Rutherford, co-ordinator of the Storehouse, said there had been a significant rise in the number of people coming for help for the foodbank in the last four weeks – but she was unable to put the demand down to anything in particular.

She said: “There is no way to predict it. Often we get increased demand around Christmas and the summer holidays as children are home all day for a longer period, but otherwise it is very difficult to tell why.

“In the last four weeks there has been a significant increase, going from ten people a week to between 15 and 20."

The foodbank operates by allowing first time visitors a food parcel with no questions asked, but a subsequent visit requires proof of need, and are then allowed eight visits.

Mrs Rutherford said: “We now offer a job club, which runs at the same time as the Storehouse, and several release courses which help people beat various addictions.

“We set them up with Christians Against Poverty (CAP) as a means of getting to the root of the problem.

“We don’t want Richmond to have a foodbank but we will be here as long as it is needed – and will try to help people combat the problems that usually lead them to needing the service.”

Barnard Castle has served more than 20 different clients since 2014 and also hosts the CAP money course to try and help local residents to manage their finances.

Mrs Rutherford added: “We are very grateful to all the individuals, communities, businesses and organisations who continue to support us both financially and with food donations.”

Storehouse is open in Richmond between 4pm and 6pm on Thursdays and in Barnard Castle between 3pm and 5pm on Fridays.

Storehouse accepts donations in Richmond at Influence Church from Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm; and in Barnard Castle at 54 Galgate, Thursday afternoons or Fridays.

Items in need include: UHT milk, tinned fruit and vegetables and dried goods – although the church has plenty of dried pasta.

For more information visit www.influencechurch.co.uk/storehouse or www.facebook.com/storehouse.foodbank.