Pensioner, 90, takes hour-long bus to food bank in shadow of Christmas market

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A desperate pensioner took an hour-long bus journey to visit a food bank so that she could get fresh fruit and veg. Patricia, 90, was one of more than 150 people who faced the cold to collect a free food parcel in Birmingham.Charities believe this winter could be the "worst yet" as the cost-of-living crisis leaves more and more people struggling with their finances.

Birmingham-based BeKind host a food bank on Temple Row in the city centre to support those who can't afford basic supplies.On Monday, Patricia travelled an hour from her home in Tividale, in the Black Country, to pick up some food as well as help out the charity, Birmingham Live reports.Volunteers hand out free food and toiletries packages to those in need, in the shadow of the city's Christmas market at Cathedral Square.

BeKind said 151 people attended this week, almost three times the average number that came when it first started in 2018.The upsurge in food bank users has posed problems for organisers, but volunteers said that the event was about "putting a smile on people's faces" and helping those in need.Nonagenarian Patricia regularly uses the food bank for supplies, but also helps hand out food to other users.

She said: “I come every Monday to help out and use the service. I love it here and I’m very grateful for it - they’re a smashing crowd. "Fruit and fresh vegetables are so expensive these days so to come here and get some really helps me out.