FOR THE first time in its nine-year history, the shelves of a local food bank are almost bare.

After a busy shift at its Haverfordwest base, Pembrokeshire Action To Combat Hardship (PATCH) co-ordinator Tracy Olin realised they had been left with just a few tins to hand out to families in need.

"I've never known it like this before," said Tracy.

"We're always a bit lean before harvest festival time, but this is mad.

"We have been so busy"

PATCH relies on donations to provide food and basic essentials such as clothing, small household items, crockery, bedding and hygiene products to hundreds of referred clients every month.

"There are people here in Pembrokeshire who haven’t eaten for days as they wait for their benefits to arrive," she said.

“We have had a family referred to us who haven’t had much of an income for weeks.

"They were told during a telephone conversation they would have to wait again for weeks before they receive their money.

"They client asked ‘what do we do until then?' and was told to go to the local food bank.

"But what if there wasn’t a local food bank?

"Or what if we were unable to give two weeks' food to save them petrol in visiting us?

"Benefits should be the safety net, not food banks."

PATCH usually gives five-day food parcels consisting of breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks and drinks.

They also take donations of kettles, toasters, duvets, pillows and other essentials to clients in desperate need.

"Because we are independent we rely on donations and it is only the generosity of Pembrokeshire people that have kept us going for over nine years," she said.

"We are proud to be independent and proud to be local covering the whole of Pembrokeshire.”

If you can help in any way, visit patchcharity.org.uk