Labour man Sam Mullin, who represents the Erskine and Inchinnan areas, has said the new foodbank is a “god-send,” but revealed his disgust at the severe level of poverty plaguing local families.

The facility is now the third foodbank to be opened in Renfrewshire, following similar projects in Johnstone and Paisley.

Councillor Sam Mullin joined members of Erskine Baptist, Erskine Nazerene and Erskine Parish churches last month as they opened the facility to help feed struggling families in the area.

He said: “I find it bad that people within Erskine are having to rely on foodbanks to put food on the table.

“I had never realised how bad the problem was becoming in our town. You see it in other areas but you never think it will happen on your doorstep.

“My views are that it is appaling that hard-working families are struggling so much to make ends meet that they can’t afford to put food on the table.

“Without foodbanks and food vouchers people would literally be starving in Renfrewshire.

“I’m not being snobby but it is becoming desperate times for people in our town.” Renfrewshire Council confirmed that the authority has issued a staggering £2million in emergency handouts to families in crisis in just 12 months.

And bosses at Renfrewshire Foodbank admitted demand for food is so high in the area it is now the third busiest facility in Scotland.

In January this year, The Gazette reported how almost 2,000 hard-up families in Renfrewshire were struggling to put food on the table.

Research found that the increase in emergency food aid is due to low-pay, welfare reform and benefit delays.

Douglas Alexander, Renfrewshire South MP, condemned the rise of living costs driving families below the breadline.

“It is horrifying that the number of local people relying on foodbanks has increased five-fold in a year,” he said.

“Rising bills is causing a cost of living crisis here in Renfrewshire.

“Regularly at my advice surgeries I hear from local people who can’t afford to the weekly shop, the electricity bill, or to fill up the car.

“Across the country, six in ten people are worried about how they will afford their groceries. Prices have risen faster than wages for 40 out of the last 41 months.” Those who wish to hand over donations or volunteer should visit the church at Park Mains on the mornings of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. They can also hand in food at the cafe at Erskine Parish Church.

The Erskine Foodbank Group meet every Monday. The thrift shop will now also open on a Monday, in keeping with the foodbank, as well as the usual Wednesday and Friday.