As the busiest food bank in Brighton and Hove, open four days a week, we can confirm the observations reported in The Argus on April 23.

We are in contact with approximately 40 different referral agencies across the city and see on average 12 to 15 people a day.

From 2012 to 2013 we saw a 53% increase in clients using our food bank.

So far in 2014 we have had days when the numbers have been between 17 and 20 or more clients.

A fair proportion of these people are either on little or nothing in terms of benefits due to a high number of them having had their benefits changed, cut by half or stopped.

High housing costs and utility bills have also caused others to have mounting debts.

Others have had to apply for benefit following the loss of their job due to the recession.

We can only see numbers increasing as more people encounter financial problems beyond their control.

Sara Hider, Basics food bank of Brighton and Hove City Mission