Rapid Solicitors Desperate North East families go to the bank for food Philip Crosby from Tyneside Vineyard Church in Newcastle pictured with food parcels for those in poverty CHARITY bosses have seen an "unprecedented rise" in North East food banks as families struggle to afford their weekly shop. In Newcastle alone 15 food banks and services have been set up to aid families where job losses or benefit cuts have left them on the breadline. Across the city, hard-hit households are increasingly turning to charity groups which hand out food, clothing and other goods to those who cannot get by. Storehouse, a leading food bank in Newcastle, is one of many city groups warning that they are increasingly seeing families who would previously not have needed help. As unemployment in the North East remains stubbornly high, working families forced on to dole queues are joining those already on benefits in calling on charities for help meeting food costs. Lisa Crosby, of Storehouse, said she is well aware of the day-to-day struggles of families who never expected to be in this situation. She told The Journal: "We want to raise awareness of the type of people now coming to us, that may be perceived to be in 'normal' situations, may struggle to pay their bills. "We have been speaking to Citizens Advice and they say that benefits changing to monthly payments means that people are not used to budgeting. "Our key aim is that people shouldn't have to struggle and so