The number of people in need of food parcels has reached more than 300 a month, a charity has revealed.

Maidstone Homeless Care runs a day centre in Knightrider Street which is home to a team of staff and volunteers who provide help and support for the vulnerable – and demand for food parcels has tripled since the pandemic.

Manager Matt Lamb and assistant Tracy Maybank run the centre, as well as the food bank and Goodsell House, which helps get the homeless off the street and into permanent accommodation.

They both say that the number of food parcels needed have increased this year, as well as admissions.

They say it is all due to the rising cost of living, high energy bills and the housing crisis.

Before Covid, around 80 people a month approached the charity for help.

Now the number is more than 300 and likely to surge over the festive period.

Matt said: "The numbers of parcels that we are giving out have risen steadily.

"It's so important for us because at Christmas it always gets a lot busier. To keep up with that demand, we need the stock.

"We also saw a fairly big spike in numbers of homeless coming to us in the middle of the year.

"We generally have between two and six new admissions every month.

"During the height of summer we had 17 each month, which is unheard of."

The 42-year-old from Sittingbourne has spent more than two years working at the day centre.

He makes sure families and residents receive seven days' worth of essential food.

Matt said: "We buy in fresh produce, including protein, fruit and vegetables, along with the donated tins and preserves.

"The feedback we get from people is really positive. It makes our job 100% worthwhile.

"We had somebody in tears one time because we put cheese and ham in the parcel."

Assistant manager Tracy has been a part of the charity for eight years and used to work at a secondary school.

She said: "All walks of life come through here – it can be anything from a relationship breakdown, grieving someone, substance use, or job loss.

"It can happen to any of us. You miss one or two payments of your mortgage or rent, and you could be out.

"That would then ricochet onto your job, or vice versa.

'You miss one or two payments of your mortgage or rent, and you could be out...'

"Many people have lost their way before they get here. To then work on that and get them to where they need to be is lovely."

Not only does she manage the day centre but Tracy also looks after Goodsell House, a House of Multiple Occupation (HMO) for 10 people.

In 1976 it was set up as a trust by the founder of a local building firm to provide accommodation for homeless men.

Goodsell has now progressed to supported housing, where the residents receive one-to-one support and eventually move onto independent living.

"A lot of them find it difficult to come off the street," Tracy said.

"They have a social network out there, which disappears when they go into housing and become very isolated.

"We like to give them that support for a few weeks to settle them in."

Tracy admits that in September she too became homeless.

"Believe it or not, I am in temporary accommodation" she said.

"Where I used to live, the landlady had to sell her place – bottom line, I had to leave.

"I’m working full time, so I’m not entitled to any benefits, and that leaves me not a priority for housing.

"I am one of many who are out there that can’t get any help.

She added: "I’m okay – I have a roof over my head for now and I'm paying full rent for it, but it’s leaving me very short.

"You can imagine how we struggle with our guys, getting them from A to B."

KentOnline is supporting Homeless Care's You Can Help campaign – where the charity collects food donations, clothes, hygiene items, and gifts for clients.

This year, the charity is also asking for money so it can buy nutritious food at a heavily-discounted price from FareShare.

Schools contributing food and funds include St Simon Stock Catholic School, Cornwallis Academy, Maidstone Grammar School and Oakwood Park Grammar School.

To give a financial donation to the campaign, click here, or to donate items, message manager@homelesscare.org.uk

The You Can Help campaign is now in its 21st year.