A Castle Douglas foodbank has hailed the generosity of supporters for keeping services going through tough times.
Stepping Stones on King Street is being hit by rising costs – just like many of the people it continues to help.
But thanks to volunteer efforts and kind donors, hard-pressed families are being provided with a food lifeline.
Worrying signs are emerging however that the worst may yet be to come – October’s looming energy price cap rise of 50 per cent could see average annual household bills reach almost £3,000.
Stepping stones co-ordinator Helen Cockburn told the News: “Chatting to people on the phone they say they can’t afford to eat and pay energy bills.
“People don’t like asking for help – they’ll say I’m really sorry but can you help us again this week?
“It does upset me and I feel I would like to do more but there’s a limit to what we can do.
“We have definitely had an increase in demand connected with food prices going up and energy and fuel price going up.”
According to Auchencairn mum-of-one Helen, 35, there is “a big variation” in people seeking help and she urged anybody struggling to get in touch.
She said: “Some are families with young kids, especially those who are single parents.
“One guy is caring for his wife who has a disability – he can’t get out to work and neither can she. We also have some young adults with issues.
“Probably there are more people out there who could be using the foodbank but who don’t even know they could. Anybody can come to us and ask for food – we don’t ask any questions.”
She added: “We would like to provide a holistic anti-poverty project and give people advice on what other help is out there. I’m working on that at the moment – ideally we need a hub where we can do more for people who are struggling.
“In my view the division of wealth is ridiculous.”
Castle Douglas Development Forum, which runs the foodbank, is itself watching the pennies.
Chairperson Carolyn Yates said: “What we are worried about as a charity is that we support our volunteer drivers with a fuel allowance.
“They claim back their fuel and we will have to look at putting up their mileage allowance.
“Some do not claim and donate it back to us – but they themselves may have to start claiming.
“A lot of retired folk do the driving for us and they have fixed incomes.
“Very often they are not the richest people doing this.”
She added: “Our community continues to be rather amazing – our donations are steady.
Anyone requiring assistance can contact Stepping Stones on 07730 788335. The foodbank is open for collections and donations from 10am to 12pm Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Donations can also be made at Tesco and the Co-op.
