YORK’S foodbank is to treble in size, as thousands of residents across the city struggle to make ends meet.

The organisation, which has been running in Acomb for the past six months, will open new outlets in Clifton and Tang Hall in July to help it meet rising demand.

Organisers say the Acomb base, in the Gateway Centre, has provided food for 1,000 people in its first six months and say demand has risen since benefit changes came into effect last month.

The new bases will be in Burton Stone Community Centre and Tang Hall Community Centre and will reduce the need for recipients to travel across the city.

Caleb Ellwood, manager of York Foodbank, said: “I do not think we expected to be feeding this many people and we have seen a noticeable rise in the past month, which we expect is possibly due to changes to the benefits system.

“We have had people coming all the way from Tang Hall and Clifton and this makes it more accessible.”

The York Foodbank is also to become a charitable trust and has identified a new warehouse, thanks to the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.

Chris Cullwick, chair of the York Foodbank Trust group, said: “Nobody thinks food banks are good news but clearly the fact we have passed the milestone of 1,000 people indicates there is a need in York.”

Rev Cullwick, who is also leader on community engagement for the churches umbrella organisation, One Voice York, also thanked all who had donated on collection days at local supermarkets, saying volunteers had been “overwhelmed” by the public’s generosity.

James Alexander, leader of City of York Council, said: “As much as I welcome this form of charity to help people in York it is a sad indictment of the current state of this country that such provision should be needed nationally.

"The Labour council as committed to fighting poverty in all its forms. Poor people need a hand up and shouldn't have to rely on a hand out. We will not get this without economic growth."

The foodbank operates by referrals, working with doctors, social workers and other professionals and organisations to identify people in need of support.

People referred to the food bank are entitled to three days’ worth of food for their household. Recipients can use the foodbank only three times, apart from in a handful of exceptional cases.

York Foodbank is looking for sponsors for its van. For full information, visit: http://york.foodbank.org.uk/news-events?newsid=40730