NEARLY 20,000 food parcels were handed out in Gwent last year, as the use of Welsh food banks stays at "record levels".

In the last year, the Trussell Trust, which runs food banks across Gwent and Wales, dispensed ‘record levels’ – 85,656 – three-day emergency care packages.

In Gwent alone, 19,777 packages were provided from April 1, 2015 to March 31, 2016.

Of those, 7,410 food packages were for children in Gwent.

People in Caerphilly received the most food parcels with 5,601 handed out while Newport had the lowest number at 2,416.

Monmouthshire had 2,916, Blaenau Gwent had 3,578 and Torfaen had 5,266.

Sue Malson, who founded Torfaen’s Trac2, a community support service in Trevethin, said: “My work with the charity has definitely increased in the last 12 months.

“Looking at the figures, it has increased by 47 per cent, which includes arranging food parcels and other items for people in need.”

In Gwent, Torfaen had the highest amount of food parcels given to adults, 3,316, while Caerphilly had the highest amount of parcels given to children, 2,359

Mrs Malson added: “Since I started four years ago, every year I have seen an increase in the number of people using our services.

“It is not just the same people coming into use the services either. On average, Jen from the Pontnewynydd foodbank, and I have between 10 and 15 people come in per week with their food vouchers to claim. But you cannot assume it’ll be the same people week in and week out.”

The number of children receiving packages in Caerphilly was the second highest number in Wales, with Cardiff handing out more.

“The statistics speak for themselves,” said Jeremy Steele, manager of the Blackwood and district foodbank.

“We have noticed that over the last few months, the number of parcels categorised as family A and family B, which are used for families of three or four persons, has risen.

“This means that food shortages are affecting a number of children across the Blackwood and district area,” he added.

Mr Steele added that he sees a number of people still feel the social stigma for using a food bank, but believes education helps.

“It is tough for the families using the service. There is a certain level of pride among people, and for some, they like to get in and get out as quickly as possible,” he said.

“Others are more open to receiving advice and tips, and will sit down with us and spend time understanding ways in which they can save money with the hope of no longer needing food parcels.”

Wales’ manager for the Trussell Trust, Tony Graham, said: “85,000 three day food supplies given out in Wales is 85,000 too many.

“Hunger is clearly an issue that continues to have a real impact on people in this nation, and that’s why we’re calling on politicians, the voluntary sector, businesses and communities to work together to tackle the issue.”