WHETHER it’s the beachgoers thronging the seashores in their thousands in the summer, weekenders enjoying their slice of the coastal lifestyle, or family dog-walkers roaming the paths and open spaces this October half term, Cornwall is where it’s at for holiday retreats these days.

But hidden from the holiday enjoyment are Cornish people and families in crisis, for whom holiday means hunger. Food banks, for example, see an increase in demand for food during school holidays from families who are already struggling with low budgets finding it difficult to feed their children. And the problem is getting worse.

In August this year Truro Foodbank provided 244 people with meals compared to 164 in 2018. Launceston Foodbank saw demand increase to 295 people from 158 over the same period.

The Crisis Fund, managed by Launceston based charity Cornwall Community Foundation, alleviates holiday hunger and poverty for Cornish people in extreme crisis. Over the last two years His Royal Highness The Duke of Cornwall has generously supported the Crisis Fund with grants of £40,000 from The Duke of Cornwall’s Benevolent Fund.

The Crisis Fund provides grants to people who urgently need a small amount of money to improve their immediate circumstances. The grants are distributed by organisations who provide services for those most in need.

This includes money advice centres, Citizens Advice Bureaux, homelessness charities, community kitchens, refuges and parent and children’s charities, as well as food banks. The Crisis Fund awarded more than £24,500 in 2018 and will exceed that in in 2019 to meet increased need.

Tamas Haydu, chief executive of Cornwall Community Foundation, said: “The Crisis Fund supports people at their time of greatest need. The amount given to an individual is usually less than £30 so the Fund makes a difference to many people. This is only possible thanks The Duke of Cornwall’s Benevolent Fund. As well as supporting the Crisis Fund, the Duke of Cornwall’s Benevolent Fund helps us support Cornwall’s most vulnerable people with additional funding for the Carers’ Fund for young carers, the Cornwall Mental Health Fund and in support of young people through the #iwill campaign.”