Food charity the Eliza DoLittle Society has received a $5,000 windfall from Rubis Energy Bermuda, as the group struggles to meet unprecedented levels of need.

“We’re rushed off our feet,” said Eliza DoLittle head Margaret Ward. “The best example I can give you is that we’ve needed two people on security here at the centre for Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

“We now have crowd control, and a ticket system like you get at TCD.”

She stressed that the centre hasn’t had to tackle any serious security issues to deal with.

However, the organisation has reckoned with “a dramatic increase in the number of unemployed people desperate for groceries and food items in the last few weeks”.

“We’re seeing new people every day — people who are out of work, and more seniors who are getting to know they can get some food from us.”

The organisation, which has more than 500 people registered, provides roughly 1,500 meals a week. Most of its provisions go to feeding centres around Bermuda

Ms Ward estimated the Island currently has up to 5,000 people who are struggling to put food on the table.

Rubis CEO David Rose said the company was aware that “as result of continued unemployment and a continuing increase in the cost of living, many Bermudian families are facing economic pressures and have difficulty in making ends meet”.

“The Eliza DoLittle Society’s mission is to reduce hunger and food wastage in Bermuda by collecting and distributing food to agencies that feed Bermuda’s hungry, and like many charities, they are also facing challenges with the amount of donations they receive.”

According to Mr Rose, the Warwick-based food bank had empty shelves for two weeks until replenishing earlier in the month.

Rubis Bermuda has also supported Eliza DoLittle since 2010 by donating fuel for the group’s two delivery vehicles.