MORE than 3,500 people needed emergency food from the Vale of Glamorgan's four foodbanks last year, new figures have revealed.

Of the 3,598 people who were supported, 1,319 were children under the age of 16.

New figures released by the Trussell Trust - the charity that runs UK foodbanks - show that in the three and a half years since the creation of the Vale's first distribution centre almost 10,500 people have been supported by food donations.

Susan Lloyd-Selby, the Vale Foodbank Manager, said it was "incredibly sad" that so many people are relying on donations to eat in the Vale and called for politicians to listen to the experiences of people who need help out of poverty.

The Vale Foodbank was launched in 2011 at Barry’s Coastlands Family Church, with the second distribution centre launched at Bethesda Chapel in Dinas Powys in September 2012 and another at Bethel Baptist church in Llantwit Major in July 2013.

Earlier this year high demand in Barry saw a second foodbank opened at St Mary’s Church.

Susan Lloyd-Selby, the Vale Foodbank Manager, said "The fact that over 3,500 people had to turn to the foodbank for emergency food parcels last year is incredibly sad.

"Since the foodbank opened in the Vale in October 2011 we have fed almost 10,500 people. We are very grateful to everyone who donates food to help our volunteers ensure that no-one need go hungry in the Vale.

"We are calling on politicians of all parties to listen to the experiences of hungry people and help people out of poverty."

At the Vale foodbank, the top three reasons for foodbank referral were benefit delay (32 per cent), low income (16 per cent) and benefit changes (15 per cent).

Everyone who goes to a Trussell Trust foodbank is referred by a professional such as a social worker, health visitor or schools liaison officer.

Trussell Trust UK foodbank director Adrian Curtis said: "Despite welcome signs of economic recovery, hunger continues to affect significant numbers of men, women and children.

"It’s difficult to be sure of the full extent of the problem as Trussell Trust figures don’t include people who are helped by other food charities or those who feel too ashamed to seek help.

"The Trussell Trust’s latest figures highlight how vital it is that we all work to prevent and relieve hunger in the UK.

"It’s crucial that we listen to the experiences of people using foodbanks to truly understand the nature of the problems they face. What people who have gone hungry have to say holds the key to finding the solution."

Last year local people donated 45 tonnes of food to the Vale foodbank, and more than 90 people volunteered. More than 90 percent of food given out by Trussell Trust foodbanks is donated by the public.