Food banks across Yorkshire and the Humber are preparing for a surge in demand.
The Trussell Trust network expects to see thousands of families in crisis throughout the winter, with charities warning that need is now outpacing donations.
Recent data shows a significant increase in demand compared to five years ago.
Between December 2024 and February 2025, more than 50,000 emergency food parcels were distributed in the region—a 64 per cent rise on pre-pandemic figures.
Of those parcels, more than 17,500 were given to children, marking a 48 per cent increase compared to five years earlier.
Sophie Carre, director of engagement at The Trussell Trust, said: "Christmas should be a time of joy and celebration, but this winter too many people will be struggling just to get by.
"Tens of thousands of families will be forced to turn to a food bank for the first time as they are left exhausted, isolated and without enough money to live on."
The charity also noted a sharp rise in food bank usage among older people, reporting that more than 1,300 parcels were given to those aged 65 and over last winter—245 per cent higher than the same period five years ago.
Ms Carre emphasised that the support food banks provide goes beyond emergency food, adding: "They welcome people with warmth, offer connection over a cup of tea and give advice that makes it less likely people will need to turn to a food bank again."
However, the winter months remain the most challenging for food banks, with cold weather and rising energy costs contributing to higher levels of need.
With donations falling short, more than half of food banks in The Trussell Trust network say this winter will be the hardest yet.
Food banks in Yorkshire and the Humber spent an estimated £420,000 on food last winter alone to help meet demand.
Adam Raffell, manager at York Foodbank, said: "We are bracing ourselves for another difficult winter and are urgently seeking the public’s support so we can continue to help people facing hunger.
"We are seeing so many working families, carers, and pensioners walking through our doors.
"This isn’t right.
"When people’s shelves are empty, our food banks can’t be."
He stressed that food banks are a "lifeline" but "not the answer" to tackling long-term poverty.
Anyone who wishes to support the trust can visit: trussell.org.uk
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