In the weeks leading to Christmas families will line up at Sutton’s food banks, collecting tins of meat and vegetables to see them through the celebration.

Volunteers expect the centres to get busier during December, as freezing weather and festive commitments drive up living costs.

Those on welfare often rely on the service because job shortages, rising food prices, and changes to the benefit system, leave them without the resources to pay for their own meals.

Sutton Foodbank has three centres dishing out tins of meat, fish, vegetables and desserts, to families or individuals who find themselves in crisis. 

The service is run by charity Sutton Community Works, which is made up of 15 churches from across the borough. 

In their first year of operation in 2010 the Sutton Foodbank fed 536 adults and children.

Surging living costs, changes to welfare, and a shrinking jobs market, meant they fed 1906 people in 2013.

Volunteers at the Sutton Foodbank say they have seen a similar amount this year.

Project director Mark Tomlinson said: "I would estimate 50 per cent come in because of benefit delays or benefit changes.

"I see many people here now who say they are not receiving benefits because they have been sanctioned.

"We had nearly 2,000 people here last year, and will get the same amount this year I think.

"It is a lot of people. But at the same time it works out at just 1 per cent of Sutton’s population."

An all-party inquiry into hunger and food poverty found sanctions and low pay are the main reasons people rely on the food banks.

The report also claimed roughly 2million people have been struck with the sanctions in the last two years.

Payments are stopped when those on welfare are seen to break their side of the agreement- this could be because they failed to sign on, arrived at the Jobcentre late, or are deemed to not have applied for enough jobs.

Sanctions can also be enforced when claimaints fill out forms incorrectly.

Sutton Foodbank initially opened two nights a week, but swelling demand means they now operate an extra two sessions.

Mr Tomlinson continued: "We will get even more people here now Christmas is approaching, because the cold weather means heating bills go up.

"The other issue is parents are pressured into buying presents for their children, which can get them into debt and lead them to make the wrong financial choices."

Your Local Guardian:

Mark Tomlinson 

The operation is largely funded by the borough’s churches, but they also receive grants and donations from the council and local businesses.

The public also donate tins by dropping them off at local churches.

Throughout Christmas the centres will give out treats such as mince pies, cake, and Christmas puddings.

Those who need the food bank need to obtain a voucher from the Citizens Advice Bureau, Childrens Centres Sutton, Age UK and several other locations.

For a full list of locations where you can obtain a voucher, visit: http://www.suttonfoodbank.org.uk/about-us/how-to-get-a-voucher

To donate txt SUFB09 followed by the amount to 70070. There is no charge for sending the text.