At just one of Medway Foodbank’s eight centres the team served 17 clients in 45 minutes.

The foodbank is the subject of this year’s Messenger Christmas Appeal.

Project manager Lorraine Schulze said: “The pressure of this time of year can make difficulties seem harder. Adverts of perfect families with a lot of material wealth can add to the sense of hopelessness for those who are finding it difficult to make ends meet.”

Over the past few weeks she’s met with a number of clients.

One gentleman appeared incredibly fearful about entering the centre but was immediately put at ease by the volunteer team who offered mince pies and a cuppa.

Suffering from mental health issues he’d been offered a foodbank voucher by his support worker.

He’d never imagined he would need to use a foodbank and in the past had even donated to them.

He was adamant he would offer all the food back when he was back on his feet.

Lorraine said: “If what we can offer helps to relieve some of life’s pressures even for a week or so that can often be enough to help people think straight. Then they have the strength to seek the help they need.

“Foodbanks are about so much more than food.”

To donate to Medway Foodbank click here.