AS the County Standard’s Christmas Campaign enters its second week, new statistics have proved why food donations are so critical to poor families.

This week, it has been revealed that the number of people treated for malnutrition by the NHS has nearly doubled since the economic downturn.

Health minister Norman Lamb released figures showing primary and secondary diagnoses of the condition, which is caused by a lack of food or poor diet, rose from 3,161 in 2008/09 to 5,499 last year.

The sharp rise coincides with the increasing cost of living.

Trussell Trust, which is behind the Colchester Food Bank, has said it has seen the biggest increase in requests for emergency handouts since it started in 2000.

Executive chairman Chris Mould said: “The sheer number of people who are turning to foodbanks because they can’t afford food is a wake-up call to the nation that we cannot ignore the hunger on our doorstep.

“Politicians across the political spectrum urgently need to recognise the real extent of UK food poverty and create fresh policies that better address its underlying causes.”

The number of people approaching Colchester Food Bank has tripled since April. Manager Linda Hurr believes this is due to the Government’s reforms to the benefits system.

The County Standard’s Christmas Campaign aims to feed some of Colchester’s neediest families during the festive period, and people have been digging deep to help us raise our target of £5,000 to put together 200 boxes for people in need.

The extra food parcels collected through the campaign, run in association with Colchester Food Bank and Gwinnell & Sons Funeral Directors, will mean the food bank can use its existing supplies to help even more people in the area.

How you can help

THERE are two ways you can get involved in the County Standard Christmas Campaign.

Donating money: This will help us buy the items to fill the boxes.We need £5,000 in total to reach our target.

Donate at justgiving.com/ Colchester-Food-Bank. All money donated here will go directly to the campaign.

Donating food items: Just pick something from the list (far right) or put together your own box, including all of the items on the list, and deliver it to the Food Bank, clearly marked Standard Christmas Campaign.

Opening hours are Monday, Thursday, Friday, 10am to 12.30pm, or by arrangement on 07957809041.