A FOOD bank has put out fresh calls for donations after its week's stock ran out inside just two days.

By Wednesday of last week, volunteers at the King’s Storehouse food bank in Rhyl, which is organised by the Wellspring Christian Centre, had nothing but tinned beans and pasta left after making deliveries to 30 families in the first four days.

The Rev Mike Bettaney, organiser of the food bank, said: “We had people standing by to make deliveries, but to deal with demand the shelves have to be fully stocked from top to bottom.

"We have an overstock of beans but we’re in desperate need of tinned vegetables, fruit meat and potatoes.”

Volunteers recently maintained an uninterrupted service over three consecutive days while moving the entire food bank operation from Rhyl Football Club on Grange Road to a new shipping container at Rhyl Rugby Club on Vale Road – the site for the new Wellspring community centre.

The charity says the reason for the surge in demand is hard to pinpoint, the only recent major change in circumstances for families being the rollout of the universal credit benefit system in Rhyl on April 11.

Mr Bettaney added: "While Monday and Tuesday were exceptionally busy, I’m not convinced the roll out of universal credit earlier this month in Rhyl is the cause or had a significant impact.

“Requests for food packages have continued to stay high since the end of the summer holidays last year.

“We thought they might dip once the children returned to school last September, but with the exception of a brief lull after Christmas it has continued to climb well before April 11.

"What I can see is a consistent increase over the past year in demand from the people of Rhyl for help with food for their families.”

More information on how to donate or claim assistance can be found on kingsstorehouse.org.uk