AT the height of the UK recession between 2008 and 2009, a total of 25,899 three-day emergency food supplies were given out by Trussell Trust foodbanks.

Now, the poverty charity reports it is 1,109,309, putting the number at a record high across its 400-strong network of foodbanks.

In September 2015, Colchester Foodbank, which is part of the Trussell Trust, fed 5,261 adults and children.

This has risen by 342 in the same period to the year before.

On average, its volunteers package and hand out 50 food parcels each week which serves about 200 vulnerable families.

The figures show, even post recession, there is still extreme poverty in what is generally considered to be an affluent town.

Jeannette Hewes, who was appointed as Colchester Foodbank’s manager in June, sees no sign of the situation abating.

In fact, she is confident when she asserts she expects the level of demand to increase.

She said: “It’s going to get worse.

“The foodbank works with close to 128 different agencies and we’re all expecting and preparing for an increase.

“What we’re seeing more and more is working poor.

“Inevitably welfare cuts and austerity are having an effect nationally with people trying to keep on top of their rent and other bills, so it only takes the washing machine breaking down to put them in a position where they can’t put food on the table.

“It’s been nearly eight years since the recession and I don’t think the problem has died down, it’s just become part of daily life.

“Quite often people talk about rent increases having an impact, particularly in the private sector, but also benefit cuts and delays.

“Universal Credit is also making a difference now as the sanctions are much harsher.”

In preparing for this impending spike, the foodbank’s board of trustees recently launched Pound£Aid – a new initiative which urges 1,000 supporters to pledge £1 each month.

The target is for the charity to reach £1,400, so it will still incur a £400 shortfall, but each pound will keep the centre running for 40 minutes.

The project forms part of its three year strategy, which was launched at its recent annual general meeting and will be its blueprint as it prepares for the impact of further economic uncertainty.

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Mrs Hewes said: “In the charity sector, agencies are certainly having to consider their strategic plans for how to survive.

“Since its inception, the foodbank has had to play catch up as a response to the ever-growing need for its services.

“It was clear to the trustees we needed to plan for the future and to ensure we had all the necessary structures and resources.

“I’ve worked hard at building relationships with our referring agencies.

“We now have a presence in regular meetings at the Job Centre, along with One Support, Christians against Poverty (CAP) and POhWER Advocacy, which all run regular drop-in clinics at the foodbank.

“We’re also looking at working with CAP in giving longer term help to some of the families it works with and have also agreed to work closely with midwives and health visitors, as well as several older people’s services.”

While some parts of the UK are experiencing a decline in public donations to their foodbanks, Mrs Hewes is experiencing the opposite in Colchester.

Since January, its Facebook page has grown by more than 1,200 likes proving residents’ attitude towards modern poverty remains positive and givers continue to be empathetic.

Mrs Hewes is enormously grateful.

She said: “There’s something about the people of Colchester, they just have an amazingly big heart.

“If I ever put a shout out on Facebook because we’re running short, I can guarantee several people will respond.

“I see it not only in donations but we have 48 volunteers, and there isn’t a week that goes by I don’t get people contacting me wanting to help, to the point I now have a volunteer waiting list and have stopped actively recruiting.

“Our warehouse is absolutely heaving at the moment because it’s harvest time.”

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However, despite this outpouring of charity, which amounted to 65,529kg of stock last year, the centre ended with a deficit of £8,758 for the year ending December 2015.

In 2016, it also received no grants to subsidise services even though demand was still there.

She said: “The foodbank isn’t about to close through lack of money but if we don’t get more in, it could be a reality.

“The majority of people are mortified and feel embarrassed when they arrive at the foodbank.

“They come to us when they’re at rock bottom which is why we work so hard to make it a welcoming place.

“We really need to increase regular giving as this helps us plan for what’s ahead. “

For those who go to Colchester Foodbank, it is a lifeline. Literally.

Mrs Hewes added: “Fortunately, everyone who is referred to us, we can meet their need.

“If there was ever a point when we couldn’t, we’d start panicking, but I can’t stress strongly enough this is down to the people of Colchester being so amazing.”

For more information on the work of the Foodbank, click here.