Foodbanks across the north-east have appealed for donations amid a staggering increase in demand.
Over the past few months, requests for assistance in some areas have gone up by as much as 540%.
With thousands being left unemployed through lockdown, and many people battling other significant financial burdens brought about by Covid-19, scores of families and individuals have been struggling to put food on the table.
North Aberdeenshire Foodbank manager Debbie Rennie said: “We have seen a 75% increase in the number of people fed this year compared to the same timeframe from the start of April to mid-May 2019.
“That includes a 69% increase in adults, and a staggering 90% increase in children.
“We are convinced this significant rise is due in large measures to the Covid-19 pandemic.”
The foodbank, affiliated with the Trussell Trust, provides foods parcels via a voucher system.
In the North Aberdeenshire Foodbank’s region, the largest increase in demand was in the Ellon area, which had a 540% rise.
In Inverurie, there was a 183% increase, and in the south of Peterhead and Cruden the figure went up by 148%.
And the Aberdeenshire South Foodbank, also part of the Trussell Trust network, has also reported an increase in demand – as well as donations.
In April and May, the Banchory-based venture accepted four tonnes of donated food.
Over the same period, its staff packed and handed out two tonnes of essentials to more than 200 adults and youngsters, which is more than twice the total distributed in the same two months in 2019.
More than 90% of food distributed by Trussell Trust foodbanks is donated by the public.
Typical food parcels given to those in need include supplies like cereals, soups, pasta and rice, as well as tinned goods like beans, meat, vegetables and fruit.
For more information and to find out more about how you can support foodbanks, visit www.trusselltrust.org