Donations to a foodbank have dropped by nearly a quarter as the rising cost of a living hits hard.

Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank is now running low of food to give to the area’s most vulnerable The foodbank has seen as a 23 per cent decrease in donations in the first six months of 2022, as the impacts of rising living costs are felt.

Those who run the charity say they ‘well understand’ " why there has been a drop in donations, and are asking people less affected by the cost of living rise to help.

So far this year, the foodbank has given out 18,910 meals and is concerned that many more people will need the support of the foodbank over the coming months.

Farnworth and Kearlsey Foodbank Manager, Mark Whittington, said: "It doesn’t matter where you live, foodbanks across the country are being impacted by the increase in living costs, National Insurance rates, and more.

"It’s a matter of people simply having less disposable income which we well understand.

"We believe people are dealing with increased fuel and energy bills so you can imagine why donations are dropping.

"We have begun to spend funds over the past month to maintain essential supplies for families in need.

"This way we have been able to uphold our determination to “never turn anyone away”.

"However, we hadn’t budgeted for this, and we simply cannot continue to carry on doing this in the long term.

"We are so grateful for the generosity of local people, businesses and faith groups who continue to donate food and finance to those in crisis.

"We would love anyone who may be less impacted by the cost-of-living crisis to consider donating food or money.

"Even just one item when you go shopping would be very much appreciated."

The foodbank is in 'desperate' need of dry food goods such as tinned fruit, tinned meat, long-life fruit juice, rice pudding, coffee and tinned tomatoes.

Details of where donations can be made, can be found here: https://farnworthkearsley.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/