Food Bank Special

More families and young people in the West Midlands are turning to food handouts to feed themselves and their children.

All this week we're looking into the growing number of food banks, which are being created in the West Midlands.

There are currently 10 set up with the support of the Trussell Trust across the Black Country in Warwickshire, Coventry and Tamworth. Four more are in the process of being created in Hinckley, Kidderminster, Rugeley and Worcester.

Food banks rely on people donating products and money which is then spent on food. The food parcels are handed out to people who are in crisis to help feed them and there families for up to three days to help get them through a difficult time.

Click here to find out more about food banks near to you. 

One man receiving a parcel told us that he would starve if it wasn't for the emergency help he was getting through the food bank.

Patricia Hoskins has set up the food bank in Ladywood in Birmingham and us that food stores are running critically low. 

Food parcels are made up of non-perishable items, which can be easily stored, and a typical shopping list can include:

Milk (UHT or powdered) Sugar (500g)Fruit juice (carton) SoupPasta saucesSponge pudding (tinned) Tomatoes (tinned) CerealsRice pudding (tinned) Tea Bags/instant coffee Instant mash potato Rice/pastaTinned meat/fish Tinned fruitJamBiscuits or snack bars.