Published by Emma Carton at 8:15am 4th December 2019. (Updated at 12:55pm 4th December 2019)

Some foodbanks in Cornwall handed out hundreds of emergency parcels every week last December, with more than two in five to children.

The UK's biggest food bank network, the Trussell Trust, is bracing for its busiest ever Christmas.

Its figures suggesting a record numbers of people in need will seek support this month.

In Cornwall, the charity handed out 2,120 three-day emergency food parcels last December.

That is equivalent to 479 every week and includes 909 (43%) to children.

It meant the charity dished out 724 more parcels in the Duchy than it did on average each month during 2018-19 - an increase of 52%.

A foodbank charity reveals it handed out over 2,000 emergency parcels in Cornwall in the run-up to last Christmas

 

Meanwhile, separate figures published by the charity show 13% more food parcels were provided between April and September than the same six months just a year before, meaning demand will is likely to be even higher this winter.

Trussell Trust chief executive Emma Revie warned that communities across the country are being pushed into poverty.

"Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy and celebration – but for too many people it's becoming harder and harder to keep their heads above water.

"Nine in 10 of us believe hunger in the UK is a problem – foodbanks cannot and should not have to continue to pick up the pieces".

Emma Revie, Trussell Trust

The Trussell Trust says of all the emergency parcels handed out in Cornwall last December, almost half went to children

 

The number of food parcels handed out across the charity's UK sites last December was 44% higher than the monthly average for the year.

More than 186,000 parcels were given away during the month, of which two in five went to children.

Since the figures do not include independent food banks dotted around the country, the real figure is likely to be far higher.

Ms Revie said she wanted candidates in the upcoming General Election to pledge to protect people from hunger.

"Our next government must start working towards a future where no one needs a foodbank.

"It's in our power to reach a future where everyone has enough money for the basics. This can change".

Emma Revie, Trussell Trust

You can check the full figures for Cornwall and the UK here.