PEOPLE struggling on low incomes are now the most reliant users of Andover Foodbank, according to the charity’s latest figures.

Changes or delays in benefits payments had previously been the biggest reason for needing the service, but that is no longer the case.

Andover Foodbank’s 2018/19 annual review reveals that more than 4,000 people were fed by the charity in the 12 months between April 2018 and March 2019.

Over 40 per cent of those cited low income struggles as the main reason for their crisis. Two years ago, in 2016-17, that figure was 30 per cent.

Contrastingly, the proportion of people relying on the service due to changes or delays in benefits payments has reduced over a similar period.

Last year 32 per cent of clients required support for this reason, down from more than 38 per cent 12 months prior.

Jenny LeLean, Andover Foodbank community manager, said: “When low income is recorded on our vouchers as the reason for crisis, it often comes with a secondary cause for needing help, including debt, sickness, benefit delays and delayed wages.

“This suggests that those living on low incomes struggle to have the necessary resources to manage when there is an unexpected expense or a loss in income.”

Andover Foodbank’s latest annual review shows that 4,011 people were fed by the charity last year, including 1,201 children.

Christmas hampers were provided for 352 families and 52 individuals, and the charity gave out 1,306 Easter eggs.

Also 2018/19 Andover Foodbank marked the completion of its warehouse extension, which was finished in August and officially opened in October.

Jenny added: “Our big thing this year was the fact that we built our extension. Our warehouse is now twice the size, we are much more secure, we don’t have to rent any space and that makes a huge difference to us financially.”

“We would like to thank everyone who has supported the foodbank over the last year, donating food and other products, money or time. None of it would be possible without the generosity of this community. We are now looking forward to developing our new project of helping families over the summer holidays.”

Andover Foodbank recently launched its Summer Holidays Project, which aims to deliver bags of food to schools to help those in need before the end of term and in time for the summer holidays.

For more information on the Summer Holidays Project and the charity’s annual review for 2018/19, go to andover.foodbank.org.uk.