Hunger is not just a third world problem. Even in our prosperous new city of Milton Keynes, there are many people living on the edge of poverty and hundreds of families have received food parcels to help them through times of crisis in 2005.

National statistics show that some wards of Milton Keynes are within 10% of the most deprived areas in England. In one ward, the number of people relying on means tested benefits is 50% higher than the England average.

All it takes is a sudden, unexpected event – a bereavement, illness, redundancy or theft – to throw people into a genuine crisis.

The Food Bank provides people with the essentials at a time when they need them most, covering the time it takes before other parts of our social care infrastructure can come into play.