CALDICOT Foodbank has helped feed more than 700 people in its first year – a third of whom are children, according to new figures.

The figures come a month after it was revealed the Chepstow Foodbank had helped to feed around 1,500 people in the 18 months since it was first opened.

And now chairman of the Caldicot Foodbank, David Flint, says they are struggling to keep up with demand.

“The numbers have doubled since last June. I attribute this to the last autumn’s changes to the benefit system,” he said.

The Caldicot Foodbank is part of Raven House Trust, a Newport based charity which runs four food banks, and is also supported by Caldicot Churches Together along with churches in Magor, Undy and Caerwent.

Currently they are providing food for around 40 people on average a month, a number which they expect to rise in the autumn . They have fed 352 people since January of this year compared with 254 people from June to December 2013. The figures show April to be the month with the highest number of users for this year so far at 71, of whom 31 were children. In June, 24 people visited the foodbank including 16 children.

Most users are from Caldicot, with some from Undy and Magor. Current donation points include churches, Caldicot’s One-Stop-Shop and the Caldicot Library.

Users are given three vouchers to use during a six month period and are usually referred by organisations such as the job centre or citizens advice.

The foodbank are in need of canned and dried goods UHT milk, coffee, sugar and toilet rolls.