Signs of a full-scale economic and social emergency in Galloway appear to be growing amid unprecedented demand for food aid.
Newton Stewart-based Machars Churches Basics Food Bank is being swamped by new pleas from struggling families every week.
And dire economic conditions have seen the number of people receiving food parcels almost double in a year.
The agency, which covers the western Stewartry and eastern Wigtownshire, now fears its work could suffer if funding is cut.
Co-ordinator Marlene Cash told the News: “People in this area are under enormous strain.
“We delivered to 28 families alone on Monday and last week had another four families contact us.
“The main breadwinner had been on furlough and has been told their job is finished.
“Most people with the best will in the world don’t have any savings to fall back on. It is very bleak at the moment.”
Even prior to Covid the food bank noted a sharp rise in referrals.
In the year to December 31, 2019, parcels were distributed to 2,054 people, a rise of 57 per cent on 2018.
Throughout 2020, however, 3,840 children and adults needed food aid – a jump up of 87 per cent.
Mrs Cash said: “We had a record Christmas and handed out 1,417 bags of food. It’s a very sad situation.
“Without us I don’t know what people would do. We are a necessary evil.”
The food bank had to throw the rule book out the window when Covid hit in March last year.
“Once the pandemic started people were not being referred to us,” Mrs Cash said.
“That was because the people they would normally go to to refer them were all working from home.
“So we decided to open up our food store on Albert Street so anybody who needed food could either drop in or ring me.”
She added: “We have several strands of people who come in. There are drug addicts and alcoholics who are not working.
“There are long-term sick who are not able to look after themselves.
“We have people who have just applied for Universal Credit and find out they have to wait five weeks to get any money.
“Often they are newly unemployed after coming off furlough and being made redundant.
“We support them on a weekly basis initially then every fortnight to get them over the period of dealing wth a lower budget.
“We also support unemployed people and those on low pay who, although in work, are struggling financially.”
The number of families needing help heat their homes has also rocketed.
Mrs Cash said: “We have seen a big increase in people needing help with electricity and gas bills.
“We only help people with keys or cards and physically go to their homes to top them up and hand the keys back to them.
“If the government decided to take away the £20 top up to Universal Credit that would make things even worse.
“I really hope they don’t do that.”
It is hoped that the council will continue its financial lifeline.
Mrs Cash said: “Dumfries and Galloway Council allocate up some money to help with food purchases and also with fuel bills.
“Without that we would not have been able to help people.
“If we don’t get any funding from the council this year we can see ourselves being under enormous strain.”
She added: “We have tried to make it as easy as possible for people to access us.
“We don’t want anybody in need to do without a food parcel.
The food bank can be contacted via its Facebook page, on 07884 370419 or email marleneg690@btineternet.com
