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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Susan Knox

GMB viewers heartbroken as veteran couple admit they feel 'ashamed' to use food banks

Good Morning Britain viewers were left feeling heartbroken after the ITV team sent reporters down to one of Birmingham's biggest food banks, which now accommodates to over 1,200 people every month.

Amid the current cost of living crisis, where people who have worked all their lives now have to chose between heating their homes and feeding themselves, the Good Morning Britain team headed to the food bank in Birmingham to speak to some of the people who are availing of the much needed services.

One veteran couple, who felt 'too ashamed' to appear on camera, said that they never thought they would see the day where they would need to take 'handouts' from others.

Meanwhile, another woman, who spoke to the cameras, said that she couldn't even afford to buy some sweets for her children due to the colossal rise in energy bills which are 'crippling' her.

"The little bit of extra money, even to get a few sweeties, has all gone into the electric. I heard about this place from a friend and even though it was hard getting here, I have to be here," the woman told GMB.

The Good Morning Britain team headed to the food bank in Birmingham (ITV)

"I never dreamed that I'd have to end up coming to somewhere like this to be honest. The government don't care about people like us. We have worked all our lives and we're all in the same boat now," she added.

Following the eye-opening segment, ITV viewers flocked to Twitter to share their heartache.

"This is the harsh realities of living in the UK. It's been like this for a while now, but people are only just waking up to it. Hard-working people who bring in good livings need help. What does that say to those who make zero to little money," one Good Morning viewer tweeted.

Following the eye-opening segment, ITV viewers flocked to Twitter to share their heartache (ITV)

"The old couple who were too shy to come on camera incase they were recognised. That actually broke my heart," another echoed.

"People saying there's nothing to be ashamed of but of course these people are going to be feeling shame and guilt. They never ever pictured themselves in this situation. It's actually unbelievable what's happening," another viewer shared.

Meanwhile a fourth tweeted: "Feeling sick to my stomach watching the scenes in the Birmingham food bank on GMB. What has this nation come to? So sad to see."

Food banks across the UK are struggling to keep up with the rising demand in recent months (ITV)

"We all need to help one another out. Everyone needs a little help now and again," someone else added.

It comes as food banks across the UK are struggling to keep up with the rising demand in recent months as the cost of living crisis continues to plunge the nation into further uncertainty.

With bills, food prices and fuel prices all increasing in recent months, and a grim period ahead for the entire British population, they have had more people visiting them for food recently.

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