A FOOD bank which is preparing to help struggling Flintshire residents over Christmas is expecting an increase in demand.

Last December, Flintshire Foodbank gave much-needed supplies to 1,181 people.

Sue Leake, manager at the food bank, told the Leader that based on the demand the organisation has seen throughout 2018, she expects that figure to rise this year.

She said: "We have seen an increase in people coming in generally.

"Benefit changes and delays are the main reason.There have been more people on low incomes than before and zero hours contracts affect people negatively.

"There have been more people who are in work but are just finding it hard to make ends meet."

The food bank has recently had a donation drive at Tesco stores in Mold, Broughton and Holywell.

In total, a whopping 3,629.8 kilos of food was donated by kind-hearted shoppers.

The food, once sorted, will go towards making up the parcels which are made to last a few days and contain items to cover breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Starting two weeks before Christmas fay, Flintshire Food Bank will also be giving festive goody bags to its clients alongside the regular food parcels.

These will contain treats such as Christmas puddings, cakes, biscuits and chocolates.

In addition to donating at Tesco - and now Sainsburys as part of an ongoing campaign with the food bank - some generous residents have been doing a 'reverse' advent calendar.

Under the scheme, shoppers pick up one item needed by the food bank each day and then drop them in to the organisation after 24 days.

Describing the situations some food bank users can find themselves in, Mrs Leake added: "We have people who come in and say they have nothing in their cupboard - they have no food and they have had nothing for breakfast.

"We have some in tears because they can't afford to feed their children.

"It is a huge thing to admit that you need help with something as basic as food."

Mrs Leake also said she wished to thank all donors, adding: "We have had a great response to our collections and we're very grateful for all donations.

"Flintshire is an amazing place. There's quite a lot of need by there are lots of people who are extremely kind and want to help meet that need."

Flintshire Foodbank offers emergency food for people in crisis. Its clients must be referred.

To find out more about the food bank and how to offer your support, visit: https://flintshire.foodbank.org.uk/