An East Kilbride-based food bank fears demand will spike with hard-pressed families facing a 'triple-hit' on their finances.
Loaves and Fishes, who help the most needy across the town and in nearby Strathaven, say over the last couple of months demand for emergency food parcels has already risen by approximately 10 per cent.
They have gone from handing out roughly 80-90 parcels a week to hitting over a hundred - with five new families reaching out to the charity every week.
And with the festive period approaching, they fear there will be no let up in demand.
Over 200 families were supported by Loaves and Fishes over the festive period last year and the lifeline charity are already seeing an upturn in referrals from other agencies including the local social work department.
Chairman Dominc Everett told Lanarkshire Live : "Families are having to make very difficult decisions to make ends meet and it is only going to get harder.
"We are expecting a significant increase over Christmas.
"There is a triple whammy at the minute - the cutting of the £20 Universal Credit uplift, significant increase in fuel costs which are now starting to hit home and the National Insurance increase which people on low incomes are going to be affected by too.
"This Christmas could be hard, particularly if it's a really harsh winter. Families used to the extra £20 Universal Credit, for example, could face the difficult decision of feeding their families and heating their home.
"We aren't seeing the immediate effect of the Universal Credit cut as yet, I would say, but demand will certainly increase in the short, medium and long term.
"But we are working with partner agencies and will work with anyone to ensure people get the support they need and are happy to help those who need us the most, particularly and difficult times."
Loaves and Fishes have started preparing for the festive period and are looking for not only donations of food for parcels but also new toys to ensure every child gets a present this Christmas.
They also include some extra goodies and trimmings in their parcels for the big day that everyone deserves to have.
The food bank, which is based in EK's Singer Road, recently put out a plea for help after shelves ran bare and they were overwhelmed by the response from the community.
If anyone wants to support Loaves and Fishes they can go to their Facebook page and website, where you will find details such as drop-off points, and opening hours to collect parcels as well as contact details.
The Facebook page also includes a link to a Amazon wish list where you can order items that the charity needs the most, which are then delivered directly to them.
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