FOOD bank use in the North-East has soared by more than 25 per cent in the last 12 months.

The Trussell Trust, which has a network of 83 food banks in the region, says it has provided 124,000 emergency food parcels to people facing crisis between April 2020 and March 2021, with 46,000 of these going to children.

That was up from the 99,000 distributed during the previous 12 months.

The trust said the figures were the "tip of the iceberg" with more people being helped by other food aid providers and community-based groups that sprang up to provide emergency food during the pandemic.

Newcastle, Gateshead and Middlesbrough all saw significant increases in the number of people seeking help.

Middlesbrough food bank, which has seen a 41 per cent increase in parcels being given out, said it had given out more than 12,000 emergency food parcels during the 12 months.

Project manager Alan Jones said in previous years the increase was typically in the region of 10 per cent. He added: "We usually see a year on year increase in the use of food banks but this year it has spiralled exponentially.

"We have fice food bank sessions a week and we can be helping out a 100 people at each session.

"It has spiralled. We are in the situation where the weight of food going out has been more than is coming in."

He added: "Every day people are ringing and asking for help because they don't know what to do and often they're feeling embarrassed. Unfortunately it's quite normal."

In County Durham, use of the Trussell Trust's food banks declined, with just under 12,000 food parcels handed out.

That was down from about 18,500 the previous year.

Earlier this year, Durham County Council reported the need for packages from the formal foodbank network may have fallen due to alternative measures put in place since last March.

The Trussell Trust is calling on candidates in upcoming local elections to commit to working to end the need for food banks.

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “No one should face the indignity of needing emergency food. Yet our network of food banks across the North-East have continued to provide huge numbers of emergency food parcels as more and more people struggle without enough money for the essentials.

"This is not right but we know we can build a better future. 

"This pandemic has shown the unexpected can hit suddenly, but we know when we push for change, united by our desire for justice and compassion, the government has to listen and act. 

“We are asking you, the public, to write to your local election candidates for a commitment to working to end the need for food banks. Together we can take action now to build a hunger free future."