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Food bank officials have told how a man burst into tears after he ate his first proper meal in two weeks.

Charity staff at The Store House in Skegness, Lincolnshire, say demand for food parcels is soaring with referrals more than tripling since May last year.

Co-ordinator Debby Harland said a man broke down in tears after he arrived on Wednesday having not eaten a proper meal for a fortnight, Lincolnshire Live reports.

She said: "He just had a chilli and sobbed that he had eaten.

“In that position, something so simple can make them break into tears.

(Image: Lincolnshire Live)

“It’s awful to see that but we do form relationships. We do get to care about these people. We are human.

“It gets to me. Sometimes I have to go and take a moment to gather myself.

“It makes you grateful for what you have got.”

Since May last year, the number of food parcels, allocated to the homeless and those in need, has risen from 49 to 170 this year.

Debby added: "Funding to us went down by 50 per cent and referrals went up by 100 per cent," she said.

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"People in Skegness are very generous. When you put a notice up, an amazing amount comes through."

One 84-year-old man, who wished to remain anonymous, donated £1,000 because he said he has “no use for money at my age”.

“That really helped,” said Debby.

“I was able to fill the larder. Because of the rise in demand, it is dwindling.

“There is also a rise in people escaping domestic violence.

“Just this week, we have had four new people up to now.

“We are busy throughout the year with food parcels. It’s ongoing."