Between April and September, the Trussell Trust provided 2000 sets of supplies to people in crisis across Dumfries and Galloway, including 373 for children.
The statistics released last week show the five month period was the busiest in the Trussell Trust’s network since the charity opened.
And the organisation said the main reasons cited for people needing emergency food in Scotland are low benefit income and delays or changes to benefits being paid.
Meanwhile, Mark Frankland, of First Base Agency, Dumfries, said they’ve also been busy: “Between April and September 2018, The First Base Agency foodbank issued 2150 emergency food parcels. Over the same period of 2019 this figure rose to 2800 – a rise of 30 per cent. If demand keeps rising as steeply as it has over the recent months, it will be very hard to keep up with. Thank goodness for the phenomenal and continuing generosity of the local community.”
Commenting, South Scotland MSP Emma Harper said: “This increased reliance on food banks in Dumfries and Galloway is the most damning indictment of the UK Government’s approach to our society’s most vulnerable people.
“Food bank organisers and volunteers are dedicated and compassionate individuals but, let’s be clear, they should not be needed. It is unacceptable that food bank provision has become commonplace.”
