A FOOD bank in Bridport is among the schemes which have been given a cash boost amid an increase in users.

Families on the breadline have been given a £90,000 injection, which will be dished out between Dorset food schemes.

Twenty food projects – ranging from food banks to social supermarkets – received funding to help those with limited disposable income struggling with rising living costs.

Groups getting funding include Bridport’s food bank Cupboard Love, plus food banks in Beaminster and Lyme along with the Lyme Regis Development Trust (The Seaside Store).

Co-ordinator of Cupboard Love - which is based at St Mary's Church - Carrie Gamble said: "The amount was generous.

"A lot of the money has already been used to support households with food, cleaning products and toiletries, or special diets."

Ms Gamble has previously said as soon as bills go up around October, that will be when it will hit hardest.

She added: "That is still my sentiment.

"Recently we have become busier and busier.

"We're expected to see an increase too as food and fuel rise.

"Although the increase has been gradual, we expect to see an massive increase in October."

Dorset Council distributed the funding as part of the Government’s 2021 Household Support Fund.

The fund was launched in December last year to help residents, including vulnerable families, with the cost of food, heating and other essentials across the winter months from central government funding. It has recently been extended to September 30 to help eligible people with rising living costs.

Chris Tipping CEO of Lyme Regis Development Trust, said: "We received £5,000 - it's an unbelievable amount of money for us.

"Dorset Council are good at updating us. You can't fault the council staff; they're incredibly supportive.

"Regarding the price hike in October, it's looking scary, and we're keeping an out.

"I would agree it is the calm before the storm.

"We're within a Dorset seaside town. Unemployment rises during the autumn and winter because a lot of the area's economy is driven during the spring and summer period. When it's off-peak, we do see a rise in usage.

"If members of the public can support us, we welcome it.

Cllr Laura Miller, Dorset Council Cabinet member for culture, communities and customer services, said: "We know that a significant number of households are experiencing hardship due to the rise in basic living costs.

"The Household Support Fund is there to provide rapid short-term financial support to meet immediate needs and help those who are struggling to afford food, energy, water bills and other related essentials.

"I'm really pleased we’ve been able to help so many local people over the winter months and I would urge any individual or household to check out what help is available if they are experiencing financial hardship."

More information is available on the Dorset Council website for residents who struggle with access to food.

Further announcements on the 2022 Household Support Fund will be available from June 1.

To donate to the Lyme Regis Development Trust, visit: www.lrdt.co.uk, or ring: 01297 445021.

To donate to the Bridport food bank, Cupboard Love, contact: cupboardlove.bridport@gmail.com