A north-east church is appealing for food bank donations after revealing that cries for help are louder than ever.
St James’ Church near Cruden Bay has an ongoing food collection initiative during weekly services. Food bank use in the region is caused due to low wages and an uncertain economic future.
But now church goers have warned that there is more demand for food and toiletries from food banks than ever before.
Last night Reverend Andrew Tucker said: “We’re twinned with St Mary’s in Ellon and each week we have a box for people to leave food for the Cyrenians.
“We want to reach out beyond our own walls – it’s a good cause, a good organisation and it helps the needy.
“This will give other people the opportunity to help as well. It doesn’t cost too much to buy an extra packet or can.”
The congregation is hosting a food drive at Morrisons supermarket in Peterhead on Friday. Between 10am and 5pm volunteers will be on hand to “gratefully accept food and toiletry gifts” in a day-long collection.
Rev Tucker added: “The need is only growing with the downturn.”
The food collected during Friday’s collection will be added to the donations already distributed by St James’ Church.
A spokesman for the congregation added: “What we already give to the needy flies off food bank shelves at an amazing speed and we hope that ‘buy one get one free’ and other offers in store will help the smart shopper to help us to put something into the hands of those whose purse is either empty or contains only copper coins.”
Figures released by the Trussell Trust earlier this year showed that record numbers of families are turning to food banks in the north-east.
In Aberdeenshire there was an increase of around 19% over a 12-month period. In Aberdeen the number jumped by more than 38%.
The trust attributed the rise to a number of factors including low and delayed wages, uncertain employment and benefits problems. The Trussell Trust is working to stop UK hunger and poverty.