The huge rise in the use of Moray food bank has been described as “heart-breaking” by a MSP.
This week, the charity released its annual figures which showed a 55% increase in the amount of support handed out – which meant that 4,448 people needed the service during the previous 12 months.
Yesterday, the group issued a fresh appeal for donations due to its stocks “rapidly” running out because of the huge rise in demand.
Meanwhile, Moray MSP Richard Lochhead praised the work of the staff and volunteers, but blamed the “stark increase” on the effect of welfare cuts from the UK Government.
The introduction of Universal Credit in the region has been blamed by Moray Foodbank as one of the contributory factors of the rise in demand.
Mr Lochhead said: “These cuts are taking cash away from local families and pushing them to the point where they are are skipping meals and having to rely on food banks to feed their children.
“Behind these heart-breaking figures are people and families in our communities who are being let down by a system that is supposed to support them.
