A foodbank manager said it is to the 'shame of politicians' that he is soon to be opening a third branch as demand for the service soars.

Gary Nash, co-founder of Eat or Heat, is also in the process of downsizing his Newham home to pay bills after quitting his job to run the charity full-time.

The foodbank started handing out food to 20 people in 2013 but in the past three months there have nearly 400 new referrals.

The new branch will be opening in Higham Hill Children Centre, Billet Road in the coming weeks, and will operate alongside its two other branches in Walthamstow.

The 49-year-old chairman has had to give up his job managing children centres across Waltham Forest to run the charity full time.

Hard-working families and the elderly use the service regularly but increasingly volunteers are seeing referrals for people with mental health challenges, problems with addictions and substance abuse as well as homelessness.

Mr Nash said this week alone over £150 worth of meat and vegetables were taken within two days of being purchased.

Mr Nash said users should have no shame in needing the lifeline service that urgently needs donations of canned meat and vegetables.

He said: “The shame lies with the politicians and employers in this country. A country as rich as this one should not have a growing population that need to choose between eating and paying bills.

“The cuts to public services and benefits is devastating. If more cuts are coming I fear food banks will be needed now more than ever.

“So many families that work full time are referred to us because the salary doesn’t cover the cost of living. There should be a living wage, not a minimum wage.

"I have now given up my full time job to concentrate on Eat or Heat. This has left me with no income and soon I will be in trouble financially.

“But Eat or Heat is a lifeline for so many people. I have lost count the amount of times we are told by referrers and our clients how valuable our service is. So many tell us that they don’t know what they would have done if our emergency food aid wasn’t available.”

To find out more or to volunteer with the charity click here.