David Mackay
A food bank in Moray has seen a surge in demand since the end of the school holidays.
Moray Food Bank revealed it had distributed about 16 tonnes of parcels to 1,871 residents during the last year.
But, last month, the group distributed emergency packages to 105 adults and 38 children across the region.
The chairwoman Kathy Ross said: “We thought demand would pick up over the school holidays, but in the last week, with the schools going back, the demand is the biggest we have seen in a long time.
“It’s always difficult to explain what’s happening. Perhaps, people have tried to get through the summer, which is expensive if you have kids.
“We’re already looking at running holiday hunger clubs for children next summer to make up for them not getting their free school meals while they are off.”
The group has also seen a rise in the requests for “cold parcels” – specially tailored for those without electricity and cooking facilities.
Moray MP Angus Robertson added: “The fact that we need food banks is a clear sign of our failing welfare system, especially when we can see referrals for food parcels increasing.
“The news of 16 tonnes of food being distributed in parcels in an area like Moray should be very concerning for everyone in our society.
“We live in a comparatively wealthy country, but that wealth is not being seen by the most vulnerable in our society.
“Continuing austerity policies are pulling the rug from under the feet of the people who need support the most and that is unacceptable.”