Pet food bank opens third base as demand keeps rising
A food bank for pets has opened a third base because "demand just keeps growing", its founder has said.
A Helping Paw, based in Ashington, Northumberland, is now providing food parcels for up to 400 pets each month, up from 100-150 a year ago.
The charity opened a second storage and collection point in Whitley Bay last month and has now added a third at Mayfields Centre in Cramlington.
Tyesha Muncaster, 25, said "We have never turned anyone away but we're worried it could go that way."
The charity was set up in 2022 by Ms Muncaster after she put a post on social media offering to give away cat food she did not need.
The service is collection only, so if someone is struggling they can message the charity which will then provide an emergency food parcel for a dog, cat and most other pets.
"When we opened the Whitley Bay hub last month we didn't think demand could increase any more, but it's just been non-stop," Ms Muncaster said.
"Of course the cost of living crisis hasn't gone away, and I just think more people know we're here" she added.
The charity is also now looking for more volunteers because at the moment the three hubs are run by just three people.
"I probably work 40 hours a week for the charity, Every moment I'm awake, I'm replying to messages, or packing food parcels, or shopping, it is literally my life," Ms Muncaster said.
"But I know we're really needed so I'll keep going," she added.
Follow BBC North East on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.
