MORE than 1,700 deprived kids were forced to use Andover food bank for toiletries, nappies and nutrition in 2014, shocking new figures reveal.

Last year the Alexandra Road centre fed nearly 50 tonnes of food to 5,500 residents, including 1,703 hungry children, with the highest demand coming from people in the Alamein ward followed by St Mary’s and Winton.

It means five per cent of the entire Test Valley population used the food bank in just 12 months – and officials expect things to get even worse when changes to benefits come into force in the autumn.

More than 2,500 emergency food boxes were distributed, as well as 173 cleaning packs, 257 toiletries packs, 40 bags of baby food, 25 of formula milk and 102 of nappies.

The number of people seeking support because of low income has increased significantly, accounting for 27 per cent of visits.

In a report written by Andover food bank secretary Annie Mihell on behalf of its committee, she said: “The rollout of universal credit starts in Test Valley in autumn 2015.

“The change to this new benefit may cause a spike in demand for support until clients have become used to the new system, which gives them more responsibility for managing their finances.”

In 2014 the Andover food bank, which has more than 70 registered volunteers, also:

  • Received donations of nearly 50 tonnes of food, from sources including churches (15 tonnes), customers at supermarket collections (13 tonnes) and schools (eight tonnes).
  • Received cash donations of £26,611 in the financial year April 2013 to March 2014.
  • Distributed more than 1,500 chocolate eggs to local children and vulnerable adults at Easter.
  • Distributed more than 730 gift boxes and 250 food packs at Christmas.
  • Produced 46 kilos of food from its own vegetable garden.
  • Reached more than 3,700 children through assemblies, services, workshops and visits.

Why is poverty still be a problem in England in 2015? Send your views to mike.sims@andoveradvertiser.co.uk.