The cupboards have been left bare at the Deal Area Foodbank after a spike in demand.

Co-ordinator Shelia Ward said that a 30% increase in people using its services has coincided with a "perfect storm of changes" leading to the deficit.

The fallout from the introduction of Universal Credit leading to delayed payments and sanctions for those who fail to comply with its stringent rules, has meant more people in Deal are reliant on the food bank, she says.

At the same time the loss of the Co-op in West Street, which is making way for Aldi, has cut off a valuable source of donations and with the imminent closure of Marks & Spencers in the town, a key supplier of fresh produce, Mrs Ward fears that the shortfall will only get worse.

She said turning people away was "heartbreaking".

"We see people coming through our doors who already feel humiliated and think that they have failed. They are at their lowest ebb and sometimes crying.

"It is not the time to turn them away and ask them to try another foodbank like Sandwich," she said.

Deal Foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust, supported 2,500 people last year, but as the number of people reliant on its support increases it is struggling to keep up with demand.

Mrs Ward said that in February alone a total of 1,100 kilos came into the foodbank, while 3,440 kilos was distributed, with the charity making up the deficit.

"They are at their lowest ebb and sometimes crying... it's not the time to turn them away and ask them to try another food bank" - Shelia Ward

She added: "We actually have five outlets and are working round the clock to ensure that those in need are helped appropriately.

"More and more people are finding it impossible to make ends meet – even those in work.

"We have great volunteers working here but we’re running low on essentials."

The charity is short of a number of staples including ketchup, squash, fruit juices and puddings, particularly the longlife varieties such as Angel Delight.

It also needs men's toiletries and cleaning products to be donated.

Deal residents are being asked to consider buying an extra item or two when they do their weekly shop to leave at one of the six drop off points, including Sainsbury’s, the Mill Hill’s Co-op, the Golf Road Centre and at churches.

The full list of churches can be seen at www.dealarea.foodbank.org.uk

The charity would also like to hear from fundraisers and companies that can help.

It can be contacted on Facebook Deal Area Foodbank and on Twitter via @Deal_Foodbank