People are asking food banks for non-perishable good because they can't afford to run their fridges

Rising energy prices are forcing some people to turn off their household appliances in an attempt to save money as the cost of living crisis batters the poorest across the country.

Foodbanks have reported seeing users who have been forced to make the heartbreaking decision to turn off their fridges or freezers to try and save some cash after huge energy price spikes shook the country following the price cap on electric and gas bills rising by a massive margin in April.

The sacrifices haven't gone unnoticed either, with Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham discussing the tragic impact of the cost of living crisis at a graduation ceremony for a GM Active course helping leisure managers to boost public health of those in their communities.

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Demand for non-perishable items at foodbanks is reportedly on the rise due to this change, with food charities across the Greater Manchester region seeing first-hand the devastating consequences the rising cost of living is having on those trying to get by with the least.

Shakar Hussain, chair of Rainbow Surprise, a community organisation that also gives out free food to people in the area, has been regularly giving out refrigerated items from the charity's base three times a week, with companies donating unsold sandwiches, salad bowls, and snacks to the organisation which then displays them in their local community for free.

However, offering this kind of food has led to some heartbreaking conversations with people coming through the doors, who have admitted that they're on the verge of losing access to their fridges - or have already used the last of the money on their meter and