MORE than 10,000 emergency food parcels have been handed out to vulnerable residents across Renfrewshire in the last year.
Elizabeth Alexander, manager at Renfrewshire Foodbank, revealed the worrying statistic – and also revealed demand is growing.
From April 2018 to April this year, the foodbank provided three-day supplies to around 10,200 hungry people in the local authority area.
Elizabeth said: “Our numbers overall are increasing, which is linked to Universal Credit.
“Our largest demographic is single men but all of the different groups, including families and single women, are rising.”
Across Scotland, there is typically an increased demand for food parcels during the summer holidays.
To help prevent children from going hungry, Renfrewshire Council initiatives, such as Street Stuff and Families First, run summer clubs where they take part in activities and receive a free meal.
Paisley and Renfrewshire South MP Mhairi Black has praised the work being done by foodbank volunteers.
She said: “Renfrewshire Foodbank does a fantastic job of providing essentials for those who need it the most across Renfrewshire.”
The foodbank is currently in need of the following items – tinned fruit, tinned fish, long-life juice, tinned custard and rice pudding, tinned meats and toiletries, including toilet paper, shampoo, soap and toothpaste.
Elizabeth said: “I would ask that people please keep donating because, without those donations, we wouldn’t be able to support so many people.”
For more information on how to donate, visit the website at renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-food.
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