Some Nottinghamshire food banks say they are recording their busiest periods of the year as hard-up Nottinghamshire families struggle to meet soaring Christmas costs.
But while most say they should be able to cope with demand in December, organisers say some stocks will have run out by January.
Many are relying on generous donations through the festive period to keep them going into 2016.
It’s just about making people feel human
Steph Hagen, co-ordinator at the St Ann’s and Sneinton Food Bank, said: “We wouldn’t be open if it wasn’t for what comes along at Christmas.
“We’ve had people turn up on Christmas eve and say there’s no money in the bank so otherwise, if it wasn’t for us giving them a parcel, they’d have nothing to eat on Christmas Day.
“It’s just about making people feel human, we have people crying saying, ‘oh no it’s not for me’ it is appreciated no end.”
The Malt Cross’s Christmas food bank appeal is also entering its busiest period.
The city centre bar and charity has been collecting food and gifts for hard-up households in Notts.
Linda Blakeley from the centre said: “We’re really luck that we’ve heard some stories of the differences the deliveries have made people.
“I know I delivered to a woman who was fleeing domestic abuse. Our eyes are opened to the extreme difficulty that some people are experiencing in this city.”
But we believe it brings happines, it just renews their hope that they’ve not been forgotten.”
