CHANGES in welfare benefits that leave people in perilous financial situations has become the 'main problem' for Okehampton Foodbank.

Every Friday morning, volunteers at Okehampton Baptist Church give out food parcels to people struggling to put food on the table.

Over the past few months, the number of parcels being given out has averaged around 16 a week, although a foodbank session several weeks ago saw demand increase to 22 parcels, the highest 'on a single day since the Polestar surge'.

The charity has been spending around £200 from its own reserves each week to top up the food stores.

The foodbank is run by retired minister the Rev Barry Walton and a team of dedicated volunteers.

He said: 'Our main problem, as it has been for a little while now, is the change in people's benefits. It can be the case that one set of benefit payments stops, and it is eight weeks or so before other payments kick in.

'We are beginning to see one or two people in a situation where they are told they are not fit to work by their GP, but the benefit assessor says they are fit to work, and benefits stop completely.

'Due to both the GP and the assessor having reasons not to give benefits of one kind or the other, it stops altogether.

'The situation is absolutely crazy. It is a problem of assessment for benefits, it is letting people down, and leaving them with nothing.'

Mr Walton has also encountered an individual who has seen their benefits cut following the intorduction of the new 'bedroom tax'. The tax means people of a working age in social housing who have a spare bedroom will find housing benefit claims reduced by £40 to £80 a month.

Mr Walton said: 'We have had our first bedroom tax person, who had lost just over £11 per week, which moved her from just managing to not managing.

'As ever, we need ongoing support from people, with us paying out £200 a week on food.

'We have never asked for money, such as grants or had to look for funding. People have been very generous and kind, supporting us with donations, and we hope that will continue.

'We have seen a decrease in the amount of food donated to us, so if anyone out there would like to donate groceries to the stores, that would be much appreciated.

'We appreciate the support we get from the community and the town.'

As well as appealing for food and monetary donations, the charity is always grateful for additional volunteers. In particular, the foodbank needs volunteers to help sort food parcels and carry them across from the food store to the Baptist Church on Fridays. Prospective volunteers can find out more by dropping into the church from 10am to noon on a Friday, or calling the Rev Barry Walton on 01837 659733.

Gifts of food can be delivered to Okehampton Baptist Church on a Friday between 10am and noon, or to OK Leisure on Fore Street during shop opening hours.

Foodstuffs ideal for donation include tinned goods, potatoes, fruit, vegetables, corned beef, pasta and pasta sauce.

Gifts of money, which will pay for much needed food, can be sent to Okehampton Baptist Church c/o the Rev B L Walton, 18 Limehayes Road, Okehampton, EX20 1NX.

Cheques should be made payable to 'Okehampton Baptist Church — Foodbank'.

Okehampton Foodbank is there to help anyone in genuine need. If you need the foodbank's help, visit the Baptist Church on a Friday between 10am and noon, or call the emergency freephone on 0800 978 8563.