A middle class town near where I live has been donating food from its foodbanks to a more impoverished area nearby.

But it’s not because there’s no need for free food in those seemingly well-to-do homes but because people are too ashamed to claim it. They’d rather go hungry than visit a foodbank.

I recently spent a morning talking to a young couple, with a toddler, who had been reliant on a Blackburn foodbank. They were desperate to improve their lives but circumstances were against them. Their benefits had been stopped as – wait for it – they’d found jobs.

For some reason known only to the faceless bureaucrats, the fact that this devoted couple had found part-time work was cause to stop their benefits.

How they were supposed to feed themselves and their child until pay day was of no concern because, of course, public generosity would come to the rescue.

Thankfully, they weren’t too ashamed to seek help.

But this week we are faced with a new low. This newspaper reported on Monday that people were using their foodbank food to keep pets from starving.

And that’s the reason why pet sanctuaries are full to overflowing with abandoned cats and dogs.

People simply can’t afford to feed themselves, let alone their animals.

So a call has gone out for donations of pet food – there’s a collection point in Morrison’s in the town centre for anyone wishing to contribute.

More than 900,000 people in Britain were given emergency food in the past year, an increase of 163 per cent, according to figures from the Trussell Trust, the biggest food bank charity.

The explosion in demand has coincided with an increase in those seeking help following a benefit sanction.

Now I’m sure those working in the benefits office have probably heard every excuse under the sun which is sometimes – not always as the above case illustrates – why payment sanctions are imposed.

But that’s no reason to cast claimants aside hoping foodbanks will sort them out. What happens when the food runs out?

A coalition of anti-poverty charities, including the Trussell Trust, claims the figures show that the UK is breaching international law by violating the human right to food.

Separately, 600 church leaders from all major denominations, including 36 Anglican bishops, have written to the Government calling for urgent action to address hunger among the poor.

And about time too. As compassionate human beings we don’t resent handing over a four-pack of beans or a box of Winalot. It’s the least we can do to help those less fortunate than ourselves.

But the powers that be need to stop relying on altruism and recognise it has a duty to feed those who can’t feed themselves, no matter the reason.

After all, we are a civilised society, aren’t we?