Need for emergency food bank parcels increased across Renfrewshire

Areas across the country including Paisley, Renfrewshire North and West and Renfrewshire South have recorded a growth in packages provided to struggling households between April and September this year.

It comes as The Trussell Trust revealed they handed out more than 122,000 emergency food parcels to people facing hunger across Scotland in the same period.

The items in the crate are typical food items that are in high demand- cereal, tinned ham, long life milk, tinned tomatoes, tea, sweetcorn and diluting juice. (Image: Colin Mearns)

This includes 40,000 parcels provided to children as families were most affected, with 59% of the total number of parcels going to households with youngsters aged 0–16.

In addition, 21,000 people visited a food bank for the first time between April and September.

Speaking about the figures released today, Crystal Clayton, manager at Renfrewshire Foodbank, said: “It’s sobering that more than 122,000 emergency food parcels were provided around Scotland, which is a horrifying amount.

"This cannot go on. Every day, the people we see deal with hardships and challenges. They do not have enough money to live on, even with financial advice and support

“We must permanently address the issue of people being forced to seek emergency food aid. Food banks are not the solution to hunger, and they should never have become accepted as the norm. We must see a commitment to ensuring a minimum income for all people and to enhancing the social security systems – that is the only way to end the need for emergency food."

We have been speaking with the teams behind food banks who have been explaining the huge demand and pressure they are under as part of our Bank on Us appeal which aims to help feed people struggling people in East Renfrewshire and Renfrewshire. 

Every edition of the Renfrewshire Gazette and Barrhead News on Wednesday, November 27, will feature a paper bag which can be filled up with food items and donated to your local food bank.

By speaking to food bank volunteers on the front lines of the cost-of-living crisis we hope to share why donations are so important.

Although certain areas saw an increase, anti-poverty charity Trussell reported a six per cent dip in the number of parcels provided across the country from last year.

Trussell says there are a number of possible reasons for this recent small dip.

This includes an increase in other food aid providers across the country and a gradual slowdown in the extortionate price hikes we experienced on food and bills in recent years.

Also unfreezing Local Housing Allowance, bringing support for private renters in line with actual local rents could contribute.

However, Trussell says it’s difficult to say if there has been an actual drop in hunger and hardship. The need for emergency food is still persistently high.

Trussell says while food banks are a last resort for people who’ve been left isolated, facing hunger, and without enough money to live on, many are at breaking point due to years of growing numbers of people forced through their doors.

Winter is often the busiest time for food banks and Trussell is calling on the public to continue to play their part and support their local food banks to meet this urgent need, by volunteering, donating, fundraising or campaigning to help end hunger in Scotland.

As well as our food drive, we will be raising money for our Bank of Us toy drive via GoFundMe.

This year we want to support families at Christmas in the hope that vulnerable children will get to open a present on December 25.

We are hoping for our readers, nurseries, schools, and businesses to get behind the campaign by donating.

All proceeds will be used to purchase new toys which will be distributed to charities around the town to be handed out to parents and put under the tree.

Stacey Mullen, editor, said: "Times are tough, families are facing so much hardship amid the cost of living crisis, and if we can all take a moment to spare a thought for them and give something back, no matter how small, it will make a huge difference.

“The greatest thing about editing this newspaper is knowing that our readers all look out for each other and doing this campaign will no doubt prove that.

“So thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us with Bank on Us.”

You can donate towards our toy bank by clicking HERE. 

The Bank on Us 2024 campaign is proudly sponsored by Allied Vehicles, Arnold Clark, Smyths Toys Superstores, SPAR Scotland, Stagecoach, StepChange, Storage Vault and Wise Group.

We will be speaking with our sponsors over the coming weeks, as well as other food banks.