VOLUNTEERS at a food bank in north Hull say they are "desperate" for donations and have to turn hungry people away.
The new distribution service was set to open at Endike Community Care a month ago but has been delayed due to the lack of food supplies.
Organiser Eileen Wright said people had approached staff even before it was due to open and needy residents continue to turn up hoping for a healthy meal.
She said: "We have three volunteers all ready to go and we had promises of food.
"So far, we've only had a couple of donations, which we are grateful for, but we can't just feed people tins of soup, we need something to go with it.
"We are even willing to buy some food but money is tight and we need help desperately to get the food bank up and running as soon as possible.
"We had interest from supermarkets but haven't heard anything back yet."
Staff at the centre in 21st Avenue said the area is one of "real deprivation" and people are struggling every day to put a meal on the table for their families.
Endike Community Care, itself expecting to lose 10 per cent of its Hull City Council funding from June, is hoping to recruit local stores who often throw away unwanted food to be made up into parcels for local people.
Ms Wright said: "We have contacted MP Diana Johnson for her help and had people knocking on the door.
"It's terrible turning them away and we would like enough food to be able to open at least once a week.
"One local woman said she would give £1 a week to the cause, which is fantastic, but we need more on board.
"There are waiting lists for food distribution centres and it's hard."
The centre, which cares for the elderly, is hoping to offer food parcels to everyone who needs them and also provide clothing for the homeless from their Bricknell Avenue charity shop.
Ms Wright said: "At the moment we can only invite people in and make them a cup of tea and see what is in the canteen.
"Our three volunteers are chomping at the bit ready to get going.
"If we get enough food we could even open two or three days a week.
"We are even prepared to pick food donations up ourselves."
Businesses who want to donate to the north Hull food bank should call Ms Wright on 01482 809473.
Do you have a story from north Hull/Orchard Park? If so, call reporter Kevin Shoesmith on 01482 315266.
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