Families in Merseyside are facing crisis every day ahead of a "worrying" winter.
As the cost of living crisis continues, with prices threatening to rise further in the coming months, many families will be forced to tighten their belts. But as more people are finding themselves in financial hardship, households will be searching for support.
Richard Roberts, from Wirral Foodbank, has warned the winter months will cause "panic and concern" as more families are finding themselves in debt. Richard told the ECHO people are facing crises every day and there are real worries for the winter months.
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He said: "Pre-covid at the foodbank, one of the biggest reasons people needed support was changes to benefits. But now, by far the biggest reason, around 50% of people are telling us it's because of low income. They just haven't got the sufficient income to meet their basic needs and if it's a struggle now, how is it going to be in the colder months?
"Around 10% of the people who come to us are in work and we are concerned that for those on a pre-payment metre, their charges have gone up from 25p to 46p a day. During these warmer months, you may not use the gas as much but come winter when you do,. you've accrued a debt before you've even topped up and that's a crisis in itself.
"Demand may have come down but we still seeing a real need for food."
Since 2018, the foodbank was established "food bank plus", working with citizens advice and partners to meet those "underlying reasons" as to why people need that support in the first place. Since that was launched, around 13,000 people have been helped.
Richard added: "We want to stop people coming to the foodbank by addressing those underlying reasons. We've also recently launched a project with a local Wirral charity who provide advice and support with matters on gas and electricity, energy project plus, which could be helping with anything from changing to energy sufficient bulbs to accessing a new boiler.
"In addition, to Wirral foodbank, there's a lot of food support available which is unique to the region and we try to work with organisations. Wirral Foodbank is there for an emergency crisis.
"We wouldn't have the resources to continually provide food on a daily basis to everyone, that is why we work with supermarkets and partners and together we do work well to help those in need."
Mr Roberts went on to say that hundreds of thousands of people across Merseyside could see themselves in financial hardship and in debt, with people on pre-payment metres set to be hit the hardest with the energy bills price hikes.
It comes after Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis previously issued urgent warnings to households as we head into a "bleak" winter. With energy bills set to rise further in January, Mr Lewis said there are nine things everyone needs to know ahead of what is expected to be a "catastrophic" winter.
Richard added: "Our main advice for anyone struggling is just don't not do anything. If you need support, Citizens Advice Wirral are there and so is Wirral Council. There are funds there to help and foodbank vouchers.
"The people of Wirral are fantastic, their support has continued throughout so we do have the provisions to meet the ongoing demand. We will continue to be able to do so on the basis that people continue to give, and they are doing.
"From September to June we had over 140 tonnes of food donated which is about 150 transit vans full of food, and people continue to give. If that stopped, there would be a real concern but we are very grateful for the continued support. We are there to support you if you need emergency support for food."
More information on Wirral Foodbank can be found here. Citizens Advice Wirral can be contacted via 0808 278 7848 and Wirral Council on 0151 666 5050.
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