A Nottinghamshire food bank boss has spoken of the heart-breaking moment a mum said she had just one loaf of bread to feed her child for a week.
Chairman of the Phoenix Foundation Richard Ward, 37, said the story "hit home" when the woman called on the food bank for much-needed help.
The dad, of Chilwell, said there has been an increased need for food parcels during the pandemic and the foundation had 'answered the call'.
He added: "We started with 15 parcels a week at the beginning, now we're handing out anything from 130 to 160 a week.
"It hit home for us when we had a night when a woman said the only thing she was feeding her child this week was a loaf of bread.
"Nobody should have to worry and think I've only got a loaf of bread.
"The need has grown and is still growing. It's been manic. We're here six days a week and we both work full time, too. We're now going out as far as Clifton and Gedling.
"We're in partnership with Himmah in Hyson Green, the majority of our food comes from them. Local people will send donations as well as Tesco and Morrisons."
Richard runs the food bank alongside vice chairman Darren Galer, 37. The pair are also coaches at Phoenix Football Club.
His comments came as Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Angela Rayner, visited the food bank in Chilwell, on Wednesday, April 21.
The MP praised the work of volunteers at the centre during her visit.
She added: "The food bank they have set up here has really grown, the need is there. It's not only about giving food but giving people opportunities to come together as a community and feel good about themselves, which after the year we've had, is really important.
"We've been really clear that we don't want to see growth in food banks, we want to see a growth in prosperity for people so they have good skilled jobs.
"One of the things I am passionate about as I come from a working class background is we don't want handouts."
When asked about the key issues in Nottinghamshire, she said she felt the county needed "services to help people lead good, happy lives".
She added: "The football club here (Phoenix) is free for any child under seven, so that is really great, giving them those opportunities to come together and live healthy, happy lives.
"Labour is going to fight for every pound to be spent in this area, giving opportunities for our communities to come together."
Tisha Wijekoon, 22, has been volunteering at the food bank as part of her work with Community Action Nottingham.
The Nottingham Trent University student said: "There is such an immense feeling of pride when we look at what we’ve achieved.
"We have easily fed thousands of families and there are days when we pack 200 boxes a day. If we don’t pack these boxes, people don’t eat.
"I had done charity work before but I had no idea there was such an issue with food poverty."
