VOLUNTEERS at a lifeline food bank service say they expect more people in Helensburgh and Lomond will have to rely on their help this year - after new figures showed a continuing rise in demand.

Mary McGinley, of the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank, spoke to the Advertiser last week as her team reflected on a busy end to 2021.

The number of food bags issued during the recent festive period rose by more than a third in just two years, from 232 in December 2019 to 316 last month.

Distribution of special festive food bags also increased over the same period, with 160 packages handed out in December 2021 compared to 130 two years previously.

Mary accepted that the organisation can only do so much - like offering weekly drop-in sessions at the Helensburgh Community Hub and Howie Pavilion in Rosneath, welfare and benefits advice, and signposting.

And she expressed her fear over the potential impact of soaring energy bills which are widely expected to hit around springtime.

READ MORE: One third of homes in Argyll and Bute 'living in fuel poverty'

Mary said: “Despite this support we expect to see the number of people attending the food bank to continue to rise during the colder winter months when those on low incomes find it impossible to heat their homes and provide food for themselves and their family.

“To heat or to eat is a choice which many have to make.

“Those who are already struggling with having to choose between heating their homes or providing a healthy meal for themselves and their families must be very worried about how they will cope with the anticipated increase in home energy costs.

“The rise in inflation and significant increase in food costs combined with high energy costs will push even more people into poverty.

“Many are already finding it impossible to manage their household budget following the recent £20 per week cut in Universal Credit payments.”

A total of more than 2,100 bags of food, each containing enough supplies for a well balanced diet covering five to six days, were handed out in the area last year - a slight decrease from the previous year, attributed to unprecedented demand at the onset of the pandemic. When compared to the pre-Covid total from 2019, last year’s number marked an 8.7 per cent increase (2,137 bags compared to 1,966 bags).

READ MORE: Food bank volunteers hail 'astonishing' community support after busiest ever month (from January 2021)

Mary said the food bank was “indebted” to the individuals, businesses and local organisations who have ensured they are able to meet the increased demand.

She added: “We received tremendous support from the local community, from Cardross round to Cove.

“Schools, businesses, trade unions, local organisations and churches have all been very generous.

“Individuals dropped off food and cash donations demonstrating how kind and caring people in our community are.

“This all helped to make Christmas brighter for those experiencing low incomes and food insecurity.

“Thanks to all those who supported us and to the food bank volunteers for their hard work.”

The food bank is open every Monday and Thursday in East Princes Street and on a Wednesday in Rosneath. For more information visit helensburghlomondfoodbank.org.

Jackie Baillie MSP said: “It is heartbreaking that anyone needs to access a food bank. To hear that 316 packages were handed out last month alone is just awful. We cannot allow this situation to continue.

“My colleague Rhoda Grant is championing the Right to Food Bill which I fully support as it will make the right to food a legal requirement here in Scotland.

“If we have the political will, we can end food poverty by enshrining it as a human right in Scots Law. This will send an important message that we are serious about tackling the scourge of food poverty.”