A Bolton food bank says it will need support "critically" over the winter months after it was announced usage of such facilities have increased nationally. 

The Trussell Trust has said that a record number of people are facing hunger and hardship across the UK, with rates "more than a third higher" than 20 years ago. 

The news has come as part of its Cost of Hunger and Hardship report, which was released earlier this week. 

It found that 9.3m people face hunger and hardship across the country, including 6.3m adults and 3m children - one in seven people and one in five children. 

One of the Trussell Trust's centres is Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank on Trafford Street in Farnworth. 

The site is bucking the national trend according to officials, with a 22 per cent decrease in referrals in 2023 compared to 2022 and a further 12 per cent decrease in 2024 compared to 2023, using data from April to September. 

Farnworth and Kearsley FoodbankFarnworth and Kearsley Foodbank (Image: Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank) From April to September this year, the average visit frequency for users was 1.38 times, with 73.6 per cent of users only visiting once. 

A figure of 2.78 per cent visited more than three times. 

The food bank added that 34 per cent of referrals were for families with children. 

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Now, Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank officials say that while overall use has decreased, the need to support vulnerable families remains "urgent". 

Food bank manager Kathryn Lamport said: “We are incredibly grateful for the continued support of our local community.

“However, with families still facing hardship, especially as winter approaches, we need help more than ever to keep up with the demand. Every donation counts and makes a difference.”

Inside the FoodbankInside the foodbank (Image: Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank) The food bank is currently in need of key items including tinned goods (soup, meats, fish, fruit, custard, rice pudding), packet goods (noodles, microwave rice, Cup A Soups, Pasta n Sauce), and monetary donations allow them to purchase items that fill gaps in supply. 

Residents can support the foodbank by donating food or essentials at designated drop-off points, such as Tesco Farnworth, Asda Farnworth or The Well, Trafford Street, Farnworth. 

Items can be purchased from their online shop at https://givetoday.co.uk/featurediframe/fkfull/ 

Financial contributions can be made here: https://farnworthkearsley.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/ 

It also encourages anyone interested to volunteer with packing and distributing food parcels. 

For further information please contact Tracey Wilkinson at tracey@farnworthbaptist.org.uk or 07453 631148.