A MUM has revealed the 'stigma' surrounding using the foodbank to feed her family as it is revealed almost half fed by service in a month were children.

The Worcester mum is just one of many parents having to turn to Worcester Foodbank to put meals on the table as it is revealed 45 per cent of those helped by the organisation in December were children.

According to Worcester Foodbank, over 1,000 children were fed during the December period, which marked their busiest period on record.

Overall, the food bank fed 2,373 people in December, most of whom were families.

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The Worcester mum revealed the lengths she goes to disguise the fact she needs emergency food parcels.

Picking up her latest bag of food from the Lowesmoor Wharf headquarters for her and her two teenage sons, she said: "I never thought I would be in this position.

"I have worked my entire life.

"My two boys are surpassing six foot.

"And trying to feed them - it is a sad place to be.

"My boys get really embarrassed, and I will go home now and put these in Tesco bags.

"It is awful, as there is that kind of stigma."

To cope with the increased demand, the foodbank has now opened on Tuesdays - an extra day a week - to keep down the queues of people needing help. 

They say if demand continues to rise, they may have to increase their opening hours.

Worcester News:

Grahame Lucas, manager of Worcester Foodbank, said: "I am horrified, it is awful, and it's really sad knowing that we are feeding that many children.

"In a way, it is good that we are able to support those families because if those parents were not getting that support, their children would go hungry.

"They would go to school hungry, which would injure their education.

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"There are so many knock-ons that arise as a result of hunger.

"We cannot have a strong economy unless you have people who are capable, and it will endanger building a generation who won't be capable due to their education being injured." 

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So far, Worcester Foodbank has seen a 25 per cent increase year on year since it opened its doors 10 years ago.

But with the cost of living rising, this percentage could be subjected to rise going into next year.

Mr Lucas said the charity has to spend over £3,000 on food a week to keep stocks at an efficient level.

The charity is reliant on food donations from Worcester supermarkets like Asda and Tesco and donations brought in by members of the public.

Worcester Foodbank also accepts money and gift cards to enable staff to buy what is needed.

The foodbank can only accept donations of unopened and undamaged goods which are still within their “use by” date.

To donate, you can visit Worcester Foodbank at Unit 7, Lowesmoor Wharf, or at local participating supermarkets and organisations.