MORE than 10,000 people in crisis have turned to food banks in Bolton for emergency support in just six months.

New figures released by Bolton’s two food bank providers showed an average of 1,970 people used food bank vouchers every month between December and the end of May — about 492 a week — figures described by religious and political leaders as “deeply shocking”.

And families are said to be having to make a “daily choice between heating their home, feeding their children and feeding themselves”.

Political and religious leaders have called for more to be done to help those in need.

Urban Outreach in Bolton town centre has been feeding hungry families and individuals across the borough for nine years.

But the charity has seen an unprecedented increase in the amount of people turning to them for help, with a total of 10,424 in the last six months.

The Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank — part of the national Trussel Trust charity — has also recorded a steady increase in service users, feeding 1,400 people since it opened at the beginning of December.

These figures include repeat referrals from charities and agencies, as some people can be considered in financial “crisis” for up to three weeks.

Dave Bagley, chief executive of Urban Outreach, said the food bank almost ran out of food for the first time last month.

He added: “I don’t find it shocking anymore when I see how many people we feed, just saddened that there are still so many people in crisis.

“I also think there is a huge amount of ignorance about the people who need our services. It can only take a something like the bedroom tax to push someone into a situation where they don’t have enough money to eat.”

Urban Outreach relies on donations from individuals and community groups.

Mr Bagley said: “If nothing else, food banks show how generous people in Bolton can be in difficult times, which in a strange way is a good thing.”

Alex Malone, project manager at the Farnworth and Kearsley food bank, say people often have to turn to food banks when they have lost out on a payment or benefit.

In April, the Farnworth branch opened a new centre at Clegg’s Lane Church in Little Hulton to support growing demand in south Bolton.

Mrs Malone said: “The economic downturn has hit many people really hard, including working families who would not be expected to use our service and we think this will continue as the economy slowly recovers.

“Our centre in Clegg’s Lane is getting busier and busier. We currently have just enough food coming in, but regular donations really do help ensure that we can continue to help local people through this difficult time.”

Cllr Kate Lewis, who is developing the council’s new £1 million anti-poverty strategy, said some people are having to make a choice between heating their home and feeding their family.

She said: “There is currently a cost of living crisis and despite what the coalition government will have us believe, the largest group of those living in poverty are low waged and part-time workers.”

The Rt Rev Chris Edmondson, Bishop of Bolton, said he is worried about how people will cope in winter.

Mr Edmondson said: “It is not a good comment on our so called 21st century rich society that that those most affected by the welfare reforms are the most vulnerable.

“If there has been such a significant increase, it won’t just be people out of work, it will be working people who have seen a change in their income. What I worry about is when we go into winter and people have to make the decision between buying food and heating their home.

“But I am glad that the Christian community are giving a lot of provision with the food banks.”

Julie Hilling, MP for Bolton West, said: “I think the unprecedented rise in people using food banks is all down to the cuts in benefits and the way sanctions are being slashed.

“People are in desperate need in our community. A lot of it is down to the welfare reforms but there are a lot of ordinary people who just cannot make ends meet.”

Yasmin Qureshi, MP Bolton South East, added: “People’s incomes are being squeezed as a result of deliberate Government austerity policies.

“Those in low paid work are struggling with low or no increases in their wages.

“People on benefits are poorer because increases in benefits are being held at one per cent, below the rate of inflation. Changes to disability benefits have cut the income of about 600,000 people. The bedroom tax and changes to council tax benefits have also had an impact.

“It is a national disgrace that this Government has deliberately forced people into the position of being unable to fulfil their most basic human needs.”

Food vouchers are given out as referrals from charities and services who identify people in need of support.