The number of people seeking food donations from West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare has spiked since the start of the year.
And Clair Coyle, who runs the service, told the Lennox Herald how, in the past few weeks, demand for food parcels has doubled.
The trustee puts the stark increase down to the introduction of Universal Credit which she believes is putting people most in need out of pocket.
Clair said: “The last three weeks have been so busy, we are now seeing roughly about double the amount of people we normally see.”
Although there are enough in their stores to keep up with demand, Clair admits that she doesn’t know how long this can be sustained.
She continued: “We have had so many new people coming along.
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“There are a lot of working families who have been on the tax credit system and are now on Universal Credit.
“Seemingly the job centre has taken a soft approach to this at the moment but we don’t know when this is going to change. It’s awful for folk who have to come along. It’s just heartbreaking and it’s relentless.”
Those in need of food parcels can pick them up at the Concord Centre in Dumbarton on Friday from and on Thursday in Alexandria CE Centre both from 11am until 12.30pm.
As well as this, West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare also pick up fresh produce to deliver the likes of addiction service, the Blue Triangle and the homeless service.
