RINGWOOD Foodbank has supported thousands of clients since it started up five years ago.

It was started in 2013 and celebrates its fifth anniversary.

Figures for the last financial year showed a total of 1,801 people were fed for three days, compared with 1,647 in the year 2016-17. Of these 1,058 were adults and 743 children. This was an increase of 9.4 per cent on the previous year.

In response to increasing demand distribution centres were set up in Verwood in 2014 and Fordingbridge in 2015.

Trustee Claire Skelley said: “We want to continue what we’re doing and reaching more people and breaking down the stigma so people will come and visit us.”

Claire says foodbank use has “gone up year on year”, adding: “It has always gone up but some of that is due to opening up additional centres.”

Figures for the last financial year show that the foodbank fed 607 people – 417 adults and 190 children - across the three centres.

The fortnight before Christmas was a busy period for the Ringwood Foodbank distribution centres in Ringwood, Fordingbridge and Verwood which gave out three days’ worth of food to 106 adults and 97 children.

Since 2013, about 93,296 kg of food has been donated to help those in need

The foodbank operates using a referral system with vouchers issued by local agencies including doctors surgeries.

Ringwood Foodbank is run entirely by volunteers. One volunteer said: “It is good fun and you’re making a contribution to help people who haven’t got enough food.”

To support its work the foodbank has set up the 500 Club, which aims to get 500 supporters donating regularly to help keep the the foodbank running.

Chris Lee, who is also a trustee of Ringwood Foodbank which is a Christian organisation, added: “Ringwood Foodbank is a great example of a community coming together to provide food, money and volunteer time to help those in need.”

For more go to ringwood.foodbank.org.uk