A FOOD bank volunteer was in tears as she described how panic-buying is having a devastating effect on donations.

Frances Atkins, a committee member and food co-ordinator at Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank, says because non-perishable goods the charity relies on, such as pasta and tinned meat, are disappearing from supermarket shelves, vulnerable families will be left without much-needed food parcels.

“I went to buy stock this morning and was only allowed 50 items, when normally we’d be stocking up on 350 of each,” she said.

“We had an order with Asda in Shipley for six collections of 700 items each, but that won’t go ahead now. We’re handing out just short of 1,500 food parcels a month, but our shelves have never been so empty. It’s terrible. People are bulk-buying with no thought for those who are vulnerable and living in poverty.”

Food bank founder Lashman Singh said he doubted there was enough food to see the charity through this week.

The crisis comes as the food bank faces the highest demand in its 15-year history. And Mrs Atkins said with many volunteers, including herself, aged over 70, there aren’t enough people to collect what few food donations there are.

“I am having to self isolate, because of my age. It’s so frustrating,” she said. “It’s really upsetting that we can’t continue with what we have been doing for many years. We don’t know how long this is going on for, but we’re doing the best we can. We can only give what we have got. We don’t have hand wash but we have bars of soap, and we’re giving out two toilet rolls per family.”

Food bank volunteers pack up parcels of non-perishable food and toiletries, donated largely by schools, faith organisations and businesses, which are distributed to families and individuals in need by over 100 organisations, including social services, housing associations, the NHS, community centres, childcare providers, mental health groups, the Probation Service, doctors and faith leaders. When it launched in 2004 the food bank was distributing just 28 handouts a month. Mr Singh said various factors had led to rising demand, including benefit changes, zero hours contracts and private rent increases.

"We serve people on low incomes. If schools close, children will miss out on school dinners and breakfast clubs," he said.

"There is not enough food for us to pack up this week. Our regular distributors take 10 to 12 parcels out, we've only been giving out five or six to each one. I doubt we'll have enough to see the week out. 

"By panic-buying you are denying other people things they need. There is no need to bulk buy. Manufacturers will continue to supply to shops. This selfish panic-buying is a kick in the teeth for us."