Renfrewshire’s foodbank is in more demand than ever as a growing number of families struggle to make ends meet.

Shocking figures reveal that the number of food packages being handed out is more than 25 per cent higher than a year ago.

Project manager Elizabeth Alexander admits the increase in demand is a serious concern.

She told The Gazette: “The rise in numbers is really worrying because we rely on the local community to donate this food to us.

“If we did not have all these wonderful people turning up with donations every week, we would not be able to do what we do.

“You do wonder if it will get to a point where there won’t be enough donations if the number of people needing help keeps going up.

“It’s not good for people to be in a position where they can’t provide for their family. Everyone wants to be able to do that.

“What I usually see is people coming in who have had delays with their benefits or are changing benefits, which is never smooth. We’ve had people trying to get Universal Credit who have had to wait six or eight weeks for a payment.”

A total of 8,297 people in Renfrewshire collected a three-day supply of food last year – the most ever dished out by the service.

More than 2,000 of the food packages were for children.

Around 86 tonnes of food were handed out.

The foodbank has a central warehouse in Westway, Renfrew, but packages are given out at churches in Johnstone, Erskine, Paisley and Renfrew to make it easier for people who may not be able to afford travel.

There is also a smaller base in Abercorn Street, Paisley.

Even though the rising number of users is a concern for the 100-strong team of volunteers, Elizabeth has been impressed by the way the community has come together to support those in need.

She added: “The poverty is dreadful but the foodbank itself is very positive because it shows how the community is willing to help support those who are struggling.

“We also have people here who know about benefit systems and are able to help people deal with their situation.”

Responding to the increase in foodbank demand, a spokesman for the Scottish Government said: “We agree that the impact of UK Government austerity and welfare cuts, alongside rising prices, are causing serious financial hardship and misery for many people and have pushed people into crisis. That is unacceptable.

“That is why we have consistently called for an immediate halt to the roll-out of Universal Credit until the problems are fixed.

“The Scottish Government spends over £100million a year mitigating the worst impact of UK Government welfare cuts and also provides a £1million-a-year Fair Food Fund to provide sustainable solutions to food poverty across the country.”

Renfrewshire Foodbank welcomes donations of non-perishable items such as sugar, fruit juice and jams.

These can be handed in at the foodbank’s Abercorn Street base or Tesco stores in Linwood and Paisley.

For more information, call 0300 102 2500.