Foodbanks across Fife will be severely tested this summer unless the public continue to provide support.
Alistair Baker, the acting manager of Glenrothes Foodbank, has told The Courier that the school holidays will place even greater strain on already limited resources and that public donations will be crucial to keeping youngsters fed over the next six weeks.
With many children receiving free school meals throughout term time, Mr Baker said that many families experiencing hardship had no choice but to turn to foodbanks to ensure that young people were sufficiently fed over the summer.
He said: “Glenrothes Foodbank has fed around 4,000 people since opening in September 2013, each with a three-day supply of emergency food.
“Approximately 30% of those fed were children.
“We know at this time when the school term finishes for the summer break, there is increasing financial pressure on families to provide food for the table.
“Many families rely on the assistance of free school meals during the term time, and during the summer break may need to turn to the local foodbank.
“We need to be well stocked with food to manage this extra demand.”
Latest figures from the Trussell Trust, the UK’s largest foodbank charity, claim that more than one million people received a three-day supply of food from the charity in the past year an increase of more than 100,000 on the previous year.
While benefit problems remain the largest driver of foodbank use, there has been an increase in numbers referred due to low income.
The school holidays have traditionally seen an increase in use of foodbanks across Fife, with this summer expected to prove particularly challenging.
Throughout Friday and Saturday, foodbank volunteers were at the St Andrews branch of Tesco, which has teamed up with the Trussell Trust to ensure a steady supply of food donations. Mr Baker said that the contributions were hugely important, adding: “This is an important time of year for foodbanks nationally, so we are thrilled to be part of the Tesco Neighbourhood Food Collection, thanks to the partnership between Tesco, the Trussell Trust, and Fareshare.”