DEVIZES Foodbank has revealed it has started the search for a new home in the same week figures show that more people than ever are being forced to use the charity.

The foodbank is based at Devizes Community Hospital but when a new health centre opens on the other side of town it will have to move out to allow the hospital to be sold.

Manager Liz Stirling said this week that the charity has to raise £17,800 a year for staff and running costs but this could soar if it has to pay rent on new premises.

She said: “We are fortunate at the moment that we don’t have to pay rent for our store premises but once work starts on the new Integrated Care Centre we will have to vacate the hospital so that the site can be sold.

“We will then be looking for warehouse accommodation, with a minimum 1000 square feet, which we will most likely have to pay rent on.”

The Devizes and District Foodbank, which also covers Marlborough and Pewsey, is using the count down to a general election to call on candidates from all parties to pledge to protect people from hunger.

Figures just released show that a total of 979 emergency food parcels were given to people in the constituency between April 1 and September 30. Out of this 401 went to children

This is a rise of 44 per cent over the same period last year.

Ms Stirling said: “A lot of people who use the Foodbank are working but on low wages. It only takes something like needing a new tyre for a car they rely on to get to work to mean a family is in danger of going hungry.

“Many people are embarrassed about having to use the Foodbank but it is a last resort, especially for people with children.”

It needs extra food and toiletries to help people this Christmas but also it is in urgent need of cash donations to pay for running costs.”

Ms Stirling said: “For 2019/2020 a budget of £17,800 has been set. This includes the salaries for two part time staff, insurance, costs of running the foodbank van, which gets higher as the van gets older,, office equipment, stationery, telephone and postage and premises related costs such as heating, lighting and maintenance.”

But if the charity has to pay rent on a new base the running costs will soar.

Ms Sterling said: “It’s a real concern that in just six months we’ve provided 979 emergency supplies to local people. These figures don’t take into account our busiest time of year - as the colder weather draws in, we often find even more people needing our help.

“We believe that everyone should have enough money coming in to cover the basics. But right now, more and more people in Devizes and Marlborough are being forced to our food bank’s doors. This isn’t right.” Tinned and packet food along with toiletries are in big demand.