Oldham Foodbank has revealed it supported more families than ever last year in fresh statistics volunteers have said are nothing to celebrate.

The food bank, which operates out of a warehouse on Vulcan Street, provides food parcels and support to struggling families in the borough all year round.

Volunteers pack items and deliver the parcels to people in need which Father Tom Davis, who oversees the provision, says mitigates against any possible embarrassment families might feel if they collected the items.

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Father Davis started his mission to help support the vulnerable in the borough after a bag of food was left on his doorstep.

The food bank has grown and developed into two large warehouses over the years, once serving an average of 1,000 meals per month.

Its annual statistics for 2023 show the provision fed an eyewatering 27,371, significantly surpassing the 19,000 people who received parcels throughout 2022 which Father Davis said was "unheard of" at the time.

The figures for 2023 suggest the situation for families in the borough continues to worsen, now hitting a four-year high as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.

The 2023 statistics include 11,053 children and 16,318 adults, and represents a 35 per cent increase compared to the year before.

In a post on social media, the volunteers said: "Though this is nothing to celebrate, we would not have been able to do this without the support of the people of Oldham.

"Whether it be businesses, schools, churches, groups or individuals, despite the cost of living issues we have all faced, kindness and generosity abounds in Oldham.

"And we must not forget our volunteers without whom none of it would be possible.

"A massive thank you to everybody."

The alarming figures come as the food bank also struggled to stock the shelves this year with demand far outstripping supply.

In July, the food bank ran out of "everything" and issued an urgent appeal when children finished school for the summer holidays.

The following month, volunteers noted demand was high for items such as bread and butter.

Meanwhile, with more families struggling, donations also fell and the foodbank has had to turn to rely on funds to purchase essential items.

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