Soaring fuel costs having 'huge impact' on Teesside foodbanks
The rising prices are down to the war in the Middle East
We're hearing just how much of an impact rising fuel costs and a lack of donations are having on foodbanks in Teesside.
The growing price to fill up is being driven by the war in the Middle East.
Tracey Godfrey-Harrison, project manager at Middlesbrough Foodbank, said: "For us we have eight distribution centres in Middlesbrough that we have to deliver food for every week and then we have our donations that we need to pick up as well. So we have to pay to cover the cost of the fuel so that will impact us in a big way.
"I think last month to fill up our big van it was over £100 and then to fill up the smaller van it was like nearly £80 where before it was probably £20 cheaper for each.
"The important thing for us is to keep food on the shelves, and we have to purchase food on a regular basis because we don't get enough donations coming into the foodbank. So it's like if we're paying more money for fuel, then we have less money for food.
"People are being hit by the cost of living from every single angle and we appreciate that people give to us and we're really grateful for that. But our donations have taken a dip and it's coming to the time of year where people are going to have to put their heating on again as well, so that will impact us too.
"We're just trying to operate as best as we can and use the vans when necessary. People would love us to be able to do a delivery service and we just don't have the capacity to do that or the money to pay for the fuel, so we'll just keep going and trying to do our best.
"We are in need of people's donations and support and anything that people can do, we would be really happy. Just, an extra tin in your shopping or whatever, that can make a difference to us."