AS more and more people turn to foodbanks across the nation, changes in welfare benefits leaving people in perilous financial situations continues to be an issue for Okehampton Foodbank. The foodbank is currently handing out an average of 13 parcels each week – the figure has actually dropped from the turn of the year, when the foodbank was handing out around 18 parcels a week. However, recent welfare reforms continue to keep the numbers of people using the service high. The news comes as the findings of an all-party parliamentary inquiry into the growth of foodbanks in the UK has been revealed. It revealed that the poorest households in Britain spend 40% of their income on housing, food and fuel – a huge increase on a decade ago. The evidence suggested that while the cost of living crisis has hurt every socio-economic group, it has been disastrous for the poorest households. Dermot Seale, chairman of Okehampton Foodbank, said: 'We do have a few people who are on low incomes that are finding need for the foodbank. However, the majority of people we are seeing at the moment are suffering becasue of welfare reforms. 'Typically they have had their benefits cut, or are being reassessed, sometimes sanctioned for varying reasons. 'The bedroom tax has also been an issue for some families.' The foodbank recently started running an additional session on Tuesday mornings. Every Tuesday and Friday morning, volunteers at Okehampton Baptist Church give out food parcels to people struggling to put food on the table. Parcels are made up in the foodbank's storage room underneath OK Leisure, aiming to provide a balanced mixture of groceries for those in need. Prospective volunteers can find out more by dropping into the Baptist church from 10am to noon on a Tuesday or Friday, visiting the foodbank website http://www.okefood">www.okefood bank.org.uk or calling foodbank chairman Dermot Searle on 07854 579038 or email [email protected]">[email protected] As well as appealing for help from volunteers, food and monetary donations are always welcome. Gifts of food can be delivered to Okehampton Baptist Church during the Tuesday and Friday sessions, 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. Any cheques for monetary donations 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.