VERY low incomes have sparked a steep rise in the number of food parcels being given out by Tavistock Foodbank in the last year, according to figures just released. The bank's annual report revealed that 180 parcels of food were distributed to families in the very lowest wage bracket in the last year — compared with just 58 in the previous 12 months. The biggest reasons for emergency aid were similar to last year — 220 parcels were handed out as a result of delays in benefit payments, and 209 as a result of benefit changes. These, too, have increased, from 92 and 142 parcels respectively. Val O'Neill, foodbank co-ordinator, said the latest figures were 'very worrying'. 'The figure regarding low incomes is really creeping up, the number of working, but needy people, is absolutely shocking,' said Val. 'The low income situation is really my biggest concern. By the time people come to me for food, they literally have nothing. 'They can't buy fresh vegetables to add to what's in the food parcel — that's it. They just don't have the money. 'And it's not just food. What happens if you run out of toothpaste or toilet paper, and there's three days to go before any money is due to come in? How bad is that going to make you feel? 'It's not just a physical thing, it's spiritual as well.' Val said the misconceptions held by many regarding people who were forced into relying on food parcels were 'staggering' — she knew there were families who, in the school holidays, could only afford to give their children a late breakfast and an early tea — and she said the stress faced by people in this situation was painful to see. 'A lot of people come to us straight from their case being assessed, and the relief on their faces when they come in is incredible, because the tense bit is over. 'They sit down, have a cup of tea, and they get a chance to just talk. 'We can point them in the right direction to other people who can help with specific things,' said Val. 'Some people have even come back and volunteered at the foodbank themselves, because they know what it's like to be in that situation, which is wonderful.' Val said there was a spike in demand at the foodbank last spring when benefit changes hit — organisers are expecting another this year. 'Already on Monday, my emergency food parcels had gone by noon, and I had to get another two in. 'We are already starting to see it happen, this last weekend we were absolutely hammered with demand.' Val said the benefit system was now more rigid and structured, and frequently mistakes in form-filling resulted in delays in processing claims quickly — such delays resulted in the biggest single reason for applicants visiting the foodbank. Val said originally, the two bodies who issued vouchers for foodbank parcels were the Citizens' Advice Bureau and Tavistock Children's Centre. Now, many more agencies are involved, including Devon Drug Service, the police, Tavistock Area Support Services and Devon and Cornwall Care Services. One of the biggest provider of vouchers was now West Devon Borough Council. 'I would like to know what is driving this big increase,' said Val. 'I can only assume it's because people are saying they can't afford their rent otherwise, or their council tax.' A spokesman for the council, which holds a small amount of food parcels for those in urgent need, confirmed that the 'vast majority' of people that required food parcels were as a result of benefit delays and welfare reform. Val stressed that computerised records were kept regarding claimants and vouchers, and there were links with foodbanks elsewhere, in an effort to stop false claims being made. She said although some could slip through, she was convinced that there was a genuine, and more worryingly, a rising need for the service being provided. Her fears echo findings from a recent all-party parliamentary inquiry into the growth of foodbanks in the UK. Details published last week revealed that the poorest households spend 40% of their income on housing, food and fuel — a huge increase on a decade ago. The evidence suggested that while the cost of living crisis has hurt every socio-economic group, it has been a disaster for the poorest households. Small drops in real earnings during the last six years have had a disproportionate effect. A foodbank organiser told the inquiry: 'The working low-income group have seen their wages remain static, while the cost of living, particularly fuel, has risen. 'Something has to give and the only optional item in their budget is the spend on food.' Val said: 'When we first opened the foodbank, we used to think about the point where we wouldn't be needed any more. 'But we are just constantly feeding people now. 'I think people need to sit up and start taking notice of this — I don't want foodbanks to become the supermarkets of the future.'