SCORES of food parcels dished out to families in desperate need have revealed “hidden poverty” in parts of Oxfordshire, according to campaigners.

Witney’s Citizens Advice Bureau has helped give out 71 food parcels since April last year to those who cannot afford to eat.

Staff said they were surprised by the figure and it showed the truth behind west Oxfordshire’s affluent image.

Of the 71 parcels handed out, only two people were twice given assistance.

The packages include tinned food and other non-perishable goods.

Cora Sturges, of Burford, was one of those who benefited from the service.

After her marriage broke down last month she had to give up her job at Sainsbury’s supermarket in Witney to look after her seven-year-old daughter Chloe.

While she is trying to arrange benefits for herself, she and Chloe have to live on benefits paid to support her daughter, totalling £74 a week.

The 34-year-old said: “It was really, really hard. It got to the point where I couldn’t go and get shopping.”

Ms Sturges, who takes medication for depression, added: “I nearly did something silly because of it. I just wanted to go to sleep and not wake up. It was horrible.”

Witney CAB gave her £40 to help pay for electricity and provided her with two food parcels and some toys for her daughter.

She said: “It felt like I had a big weight lifted off my shoulders. Without their help I don’t know what I would have done or where I would be right now.”

Witney CAB manager Barbara Shaw said: “We have been surprised with the number of people coming forward who are in financial difficulties. I think that has got to be associated with the recession and the fact we have had such a lot of people on very, very reduced incomes.”

She said she thought the problem would increase over the next few months as more people lost their jobs.

She added: “There’s a lot of hidden poverty in west Oxfordshire, but as an agency we want to help and support these people as much as possible.”

The food parcels are provided by the church-run North Oxfordshire Community Food Bank, which receives donations from churches, schools and individuals.

Chairman Joyce Rice said she decided to set up the group after seeing the need while working at Bicester’s food bank.

She said: “We were seeing people from Kidlington come to us to get food. One person even walked.

“It makes me sad that in 21st century Britain it’s come to this. That with all the help that’s supposed to be available, there are still people who fall through the net.”