VOLUNTEERS at a Bradford food bank are not only having to pay for some food, they are also collecting donations in their own cars, at their expense.

Rising demand means that by the end of this year, Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank will have distributed about 12,000 food parcels - just under £200,000 of food.

The food bank has appealed for the donation of a van, to help them pick up food from collection points around the district.

Treasurer Keith Thomson said: "We supply food bags containing around £15 of food to professional carers in social services, housing associations, mental health services, hospitals and up to 100 charities supporting young people, victims of domestic violence, immigrants, and so on.

"In 2010 we distributed 1,000 bags, rising to 7,850 in 2013. In 2014 each month was over 800 bags, with a total for the year at 10,000, and these contained over £150,000 worth of food. The 2015 figure was 11,033 bags.

"We have noticed that the cost of food is rising and supermarkets are stopping production of own brand cheap cereals, and with other price rises we will struggle over the next year or so. Because of this we're seeking more food supplies and small donations of money, particularly as we're now considering the need for a van that will take one pallet of food and cut out all the handling we have to do at the moment in our own cars, at our expense. A healthy second-hand van would be very helpful."

The food bank opened in 2004, as an extension of the Curry Project, which serves hot meals for rough sleepers. Both projects were set up by Lashman Singh.

"We can't cope without a vehicle," said Mr Singh. "We use our own cars, but the loading and unloading is a big task in itself, then we have to pack 1,000 parcels a month. We pick up donations from various areas right across the district. A van would be a big help."

Mr Thomson said around 80 per cent of donations come from schools, churches, mosques, temples and work places, collections at supermarkets and from individuals wishing. Volunteers also scavenge for non-perishable food from abandoned tents at music festivals.

"The remaining 20 per cent of our food is purchased from local supermarkets who give us the lowest price they can," he said. "As we are all volunteers and expenses aren't paid, any cash donated, mainly in small amounts by supporters, is used to buy food that we run short of and also pays for leaflets, plastic bags and insurance for our depot."

Mr Thomson added that the food bank is on the look-out for more volunteers, to collect food as well as helping to pack bags at weekly sessions.

* Visit Bradfordfoodbank.com