THE growing demand for a foodbank has resulted in a larger depot being opened to support those in desperate need.

Middlesbrough Foodbank has been providing emergency foodbank parcels since 2012, when the charity was set up by local churches and during the past 12 months, it has supported 45 per cent more people than the previous year.

In response to this increase in demand organisers have moved to a new larger depot and acquired a bigger van to respond to the growing numbers of people needing support. The charity has provided emergency food parcels for 4,674 people from April 2016-2017.

Foodbank manager Soroush Sadeghzadeh said: “We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis."

Middlesbrough Foodbank is completely dependent on the generosity of local people and organisations, with 37 tonnes of donated food given to support people in the past year. This was sorted and distributed by a team of over 60 volunteers who work in the depot and the seven distribution centres across Middlesbrough.

Heather Black, chairman of trustees, said: "We are extremely grateful for all the help and support that we have received that has made this expansion project possible. Middlesbrough Council provided a generous grant to enable us to secure the new depot and van, and we have received support from a variety of local companies."