A SOCIAL landlord in Torfaen is helping tenants who are struggling to eat to gain access to food parcels.

Bron Afon formed an agreement with two food banks at the beginning of April.

In just over a month Bron Afon staff have helped 65 tenants through the Trussell Trust and King’s Church, based in Newport.

Bron Afon staff are raising awareness of The Trussell Trust, a Christian organisation that works with communities to combat poverty.

The trust operates a voucher scheme, where people who have been referred by an agency such as Jobcentre Plus, can exchange the voucher for a food parcel at various sites, including one in Pontypool.

Bron Afon staff also helped the King’s Church to distribute their food parcels among tenants.

The staff undertook an informal assessment of tenants who applied, and food parcels sized for either an individual or family were handed out.

A food parcel contains threedays’ worth of food, including pasta, rice, cereals, sauces and, if needed, toiletries.

Tenants are then able to apply for a parcel as and when they are needed.

Chief executive of Bron Afon, Duncan Forbes, said: “In 2013 no one should be relying on a food parcel to feed themselves. It is shocking that there are people in Torfaen who need these parcels to cope.

“The UK government’s benefits cuts are pushing people to below what they need to survive and as the bedroom tax kicks in I fear demand for this help to eat will only increase.”

Five hundred packets of baby food were donated to Bron Afon in April and already 300 have been given away.

Bron Afon will be placing a box in their offices for people to donate food items.

Call 0800 111 4242 or 01633 620111 if you need a food parcel.