The founder of Leeds Baby Bank, a charity that gives out essential items like Moses baskets, prams, nappies, and clothing to families in need, has said the organization is facing a growing demand and needs more donations. Chantal Nogbou, who started the charity in 2017, said there has been a "massive increase" in the number of people referred by health and social care professionals in recent months. Since the start of June, the charity has helped an "unprecedented" 550 families in Leeds, and the number is expected to rise further as winter approaches. Nogbou explained that more people typically need help during winter because they want to turn on the heating but still need to buy nappies and provide for their children. Nogbou, a single parent of four children, including twins, started the charity after seeing the struggles of other families. The charity will be 10 years old in January, and Nogbou said the types of families needing support have changed over time. She noted that before the pandemic, about one in five children in Leeds lived in relative poverty, but now, in some areas, one in two children live in such conditions, a "shocking number" that should not be happening. Nogbou said that about 70% of the children they helped had a parent who was working, but many were "not managing to manage the bills" with rising energy and fuel prices. According to government statistics, 27% of children in the Yorkshire and Humber region live in relative low income families, the highest proportion in the country, alongside the West Midlands. A relative low income family is defined as one living on less than 60% of the median national household income for that year. The increase in referrals has created more financial challenges for the charity, especially after moving from a city centre office to a larger and more accessible building in Armley, which allows for more services. Nogbou said that the move and increased utility costs have added to the financial burden. She emphasized that donations of items and money from the community have been crucial in keeping the charity going. She noted that people who set up direct debits of £5 per month could provide essential items like a brand new mattress for a Moses basket.