URGENT calls are being made to find a new building for the Bournemouth Food Bank, which is struggling to provide important services for those in need.

The bank’s warehouse currently stands on St Leonards Road in Charminster, but according to manager Debbie Bramley, the location is unsuitable for services they wish to provide, which include health and social care courses, a welcoming cafe area and a clothes bank.

“It’s not big enough for all that we want to do,” Debbie told the Bournemouth Echo. “Our building is great for handing out the basic food, but it’s a bit haphazard and not nice to be in. It doesn’t feel like we’re valuing our clients.

“We’re not looking for swish offices – our overheads are really low because we want to be spending it on our clients. Our whole ethos is that we want to give to those who are really struggling.”

Demand in the summer months rose particularly in the Boscombe distribution centre, and after a successful food collection in August – which raised 750kg of food – the stores are now running short.

“We’re really grateful for any support at the minute. This time of year is quite meagre for our food stores and we’re trying to hang on until the harvest comes in,” says Debbie.

The situation at the Bournemouth Food Bank is a stark contrast to the Kinson bank – which is reported to be fully stocked.

Summer Abrahams, a full-time lawyer who volunteers at the Kinson and West Howe food bank, said: “Our collections have been so successful because we advertise whenever possible and we speak to every customer that walks through supermarket doors. 99% of the public are so willing to help because they’re helping people in their own street. They know who it’s going to.”

The Bournemouth Food Bank provided three days' emergency food to 7,517 people between April 2014 and March 2015. It provides food for up to 250 people a week and is run by a team of 12-30 volunteers and two paid part-time members of staff.

Ten thousand people in Dorset relied on Trussell Trust food banks for emergency food in the 2014/2015 financial year, over six times the 1,639 who used them three years ago in 2011/2012.