WEST Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare has warned food costs are rising by a third in just six months as they invite families to their summer brunch packs.

The leading charity said even buying affordable items to go in their bags for five meals a week for youngsters has seen a huge increase.

It cost £5.75 to fill the bags in October and increased to £8.05 by March, said trustee Clair Coyle.

She said families throughout the area were facing those price rises too.

Residents are also struggling under the rollout of Universal Credit across West Dunbartonshire in recent months.

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“Everything seems to be costing a fortune - a lot of people are finding things really difficult,” said Clair.

“Across all our projects, there has been a really sharp increase this year. We are expecting our brunch project and uniform bank to be a lot busier.

“I think it’s definitely down to Universal Credit. We have seen that increase to people at distribution centres every week.”

There were 221 children who benefited from the uniform bank last year - and Clair said they would need more donations to meet the likely demand in this, their fifth year.

The charity is also promoting their brunch packs in schools so were preparing to help new families who had not approached them before.

Clair added: “We are not wanting kids to be going hungry over the holidays. It’s going to be a busy summer for us.”

Families can sign up to the brunch programme from the charity through the foodshare’s distribution centres at Radnor Park Parish Church on Fridays, 1-2.30pm.

The charity is also running low on all items and appealed for any donations.

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Food donations can be made to any Citizens Advice Bureau, the Alexandria or Balloch Co-ops, Balloch Library, Iceland, Morrisons, Asda, the council’s Church Street offices, Knowes Housing Association, Dalmuir Barclay Church, West College Scotland, Aurora House, the Golden Jubilee, Tesco Harrogate, Co-op Funeral Care and Sainsburys in Drumchapel.

There also money donation boxes at Keystores in Kilbowie Road and Faifley Road, as well as M&S in St James Retail Park.

Search for West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare on Facebook for more information.