THE number of desperate families turning to food banks in Essex has soared dramatically over recent months, and charities are bracing themselves for a further steep rise as winter forces people to choose between heating and eating.
More than 1,200 people, of which one third were children, have turned to the Chelmsford food bank on Waterfront Place since April this year, an increase of around 50 per cent on the previous year.
Those turning to similar organisations in Burnham, Maldon, Braintree and Witham have also risen sharply with many food banks reporting more referrals in the past seven months than they received throughout all of 2012.
Ruth Leverett, a project leader at Chelmsford food bank, said: "The number of people we help has dramatically increased since April and we are expecting another increase over the winter.
"People understandably prioritise bills and have nothing left for food."
Since the charity opened its doors in July 2012 it has helped more than 2,000 people with at least three days of emergency food supplies, and has now launched a second distribution centre at St Andrew's Church Hall, Melbourne, to cope with demand.
Mother-of-two Pamela Balagot is one of those who have been forced to use the emergency service twice in the past year to feed her children after her partner lost his job, and an electricity bill left them without money for food.
"I'm a chef myself and I know where to get the best value for my money but in the winter time that does get really hard as electric costs a lot," said the 26-year-old.
"If the heaters are on all the time I might spend £10 a day on electricity during winter which on just benefits is hard to maintain, and it can be a choice between food and heating."
The city's Citizens Advice Bureau has referred hundreds to the food bank, which relies entirely on donations from the public and also provides short-term financial advice and assistance plans for those who need it.
"The amount of people we refer to the food bank is a lot higher than we anticipated. Often the people we refer have suffered some sort of emergency or something's happened which leaves them unable to afford food," said the advice organisation's Elaine Maguire.
"On average we refer around seven people a week to the bank but that number can go up to around three people a day."
Charity Christians Against Poverty (CAP) has also established five centres across the county where they provide free debt counselling, a key reason behind families falling into poverty.
Their own research showed that across the south east 70 per cent of clients said that, before finding the charity, they would sacrifice meals in order to save money, and 64 per cent admitted to being unable to provide for their children adequately.
One single mum, who did not wish to be named, said: "Before CAP got involved I was desperate and fearful. I often went without food so my children could eat."
To combat the expected rise in demand over the winter months volunteers at Chelmsford food bank are appealing for extra assistance from the public over Christmas.
"We were overwhelmed by the amazing amount of food donated over harvest and I'm sure the public will be just as generous at Christmas too," added Ruth.
"I understand that it is very hard for people in need to come and see us but a crisis can happen to anyone, they shouldn't feel ashamed.
"We do our best to make people feel welcome. They are offered a cup of tea and can sit down and have a chat. The volunteers are great at making people feel at home."
