Chichester food bank users treble in 18 months
A food bank in Chichester has said the number of people needing its services has nearly trebled since it opened 18 months ago.
Organisers said people had been walking from Selsey, which is eight miles away, to collect food parcels.
Manager Joanne Kondabeka said the food bank attracted 60 people a month when it opened, but now it helps 170.
This has forced organisers to open two satellite centres in Petworth and Selsey.
Ms Kondabeka said: "Thirty percent of people who come here have their benefits delayed, sometimes two weeks, sometimes six weeks.
"About 25% of the people who come here are on low income and are really struggling being on the minimum wage."
Sally Whitney, who has multiple sclerosis and relies on the Chichester site, said: "We have to rely on the food bank and they've been absolutely wonderful.
"They've saved us from literally starving.
"When I first starting using the food bank I felt embarrassed, degraded, my confidence was knocked. It was so embarrassing to rely on someone to have food."