SUMMER is putting an extra strain on food banks.

Barrow Food Bank, along with many others nationwide, works to provide food for those in need all year round.

The latest figures for Barrow Food Bank which came out in its May newsletter showed that in April the organisation fed 856 people; 474 were adults and 382 were children.

This was a 34 per cent increase on the number of people they fed last year. Since January there has been a 30-34 per cent increase month on month in those they helped the previous year.

Donations between January and March were the same or showed a one per cent decrease, which meant twice as much food was going out as was coming in, however, from April, there was a 36 per cent rise in donations; 5,236.4kg of food was donated.

This year, families who are still on existing benefits will be moved to universal credit, which is expected to put extra pressure on local food banks.

Barrow Food Bank, along with many others locally, needs people to keep giving donations so they can continue helping the community.

The food bank is based in Abbey Road Baptist Church, Barrow.