Foodbank demand is still dire

Ridhwan Nadat, foodbank coordinator for Fusion Housing in Kirklees, said the charity deals with a around six to 10 cases each day of people who require food or toiletry parcels.

“At the moment it is quite steady and shows no sign of letting up,” he said.

Dewsbury and Mirfield MP Paula Sherriff (Lab), who recently dropped off a collection at the charity’s office in Empire House, has now opened her office to accept donations.

She said: “It greatly saddens me that in 2015, the need for food banks in our country is growing exponentially.

“The staff and volunteers at The Pantry are simply fantastic and it was great to meet and thank them for their incredible hard work, both supplying food for those in need and offering housing advice. I will personally be making regular donations to the food bank and my constituency office will become a drop-off point for food donations.”

Mr Nadat added: “It was great to have Paula here to see first-hand the vital work we are doing to support the most vulnerable in North Kirklees.

“We are delighted that Paula has offered to use her office as a drop-off point for the food bank and we look forward to working with her. Hopefully, this will also encourage other individuals as well as organisations to do the same.”

Visit Fusion Housing’s office in Empire House, Dewsbury. Ms Sherriff’s office is on Wellington Street, Dewsbury.