VOLUNTEERS supporting desperate families have been left shocked at "outrageous" figures revealing the number of people reliant on emergency food parcels.

Research carried out by The Trussell Trust foodbank network shows 1,594 people used York's Acomb centre between April and September this year.

This included 1,050 adults and 544 children while 3,181 people across North Yorkshire had no alternative but to pick up food donations.

Despite a drop of 81 people picking up tinned food and supplies, those working for groups helping those in desperate need say they are still too high.

Laura Hagues, of York Foodbank, said: "They are outrageous statistics and quite shocking that a city the size of York is helping that amount of people.

"I was quite taken aback.

"I'm not optimistic they will go down in the immediate future because nothing drastic is going to happen, but in the long term that's what we are aiming for."

With Christmas fast approaching Laura is unsure if the number of people coming through Gateway Centre doors will improve.

"It's really hard to tell if the numbers will go up over the next month," added Laura.

"Last year we were as busy as we usually are at the foodbank, but it is run by volunteers and opening times at this time of year are limited."

York Foodbank works with a number of organisations in the city to save people of all ages going hungry.

Steph Brodie runs Never Give Up, a group serving meals every week from The Belfrey Hall, in Stonegate.

She added: "The figures are very sad and I don't think it's going to get any better.

"People are struggling to make ends meet and we need to make a note of these figures and pull together as a community.

"I give out food parcels to people when they need a top up because when you haven't been paid for six weeks, what can you do?"