Food banks in East Kilbride faced more demand than ever over the Christmas period as the cost of living crisis hit struggling families hard.
East Kilbride Community Food Bank, which is made up of a partnership of local churches, distributed 618 regular food parcels up to December 27, helping 457 households - made up of 630 adults and 203 children.
The shocking figure is a 17 per cent increase on the same period last year - 92 more parcels than December 2021.
And their annual Christmas Hamper appeal - to make sure families had everything they needed for Christmas day dinner - saw 319 hampers distributed to families in the area.
It was an increase from 278 hampers last year and fed 559 adults and 289 children.
As well as a whole host of edible goodies, the hampers also provided a new gift for every child in each family.
Worryingly, the number of people registering with EK Community Food Bank has also risen by nearly a third over the last year.
And many who would have never contemplated seeking help from a food bank previously are being left with little choice.
Community care worker at Calderwood Baptist Church, Karen Dornan, told Lanarkshire Live: "We are seeing an increase in the number of working families registering with us, their wages are just not enough to stretch to the rising costs of living and individuals and families are having to make difficult decisions.
"The number of people registering for the first time with us was up 30 per cent in 2022 from 2021.
"The main reasons for increased demand include rising costs of food, rising costs of fuel and low wages."
And Karen said everyone involved with the Christmas Hamper appeal was overwhelmed with the support shown.
"We are truly grateful for every single donation we received towards our Christmas Hamper appeal this year. It brought real hope to those in our local community who needed it most," added Karen.
"Our community’s kindness, generosity and thoughtfulness continually overwhelms me, especially during a time where living costs are higher for everyone.
"We couldn’t provide this level of support without the amazing support of donations and volunteers who all work selflessly behind the scenes to make it all happen.
"I am so thankful for every single one of them.
"There are many people in East Kilbride who struggled more than ever to provide a Christmas meal for themselves or their families."
One of the recipients of the festive food hampers said: "I’m overwhelmed by the hamper I’ve received.
"I can’t believe the kindness shown. You have made my Christmas, knowing someone cares means the world to me."
East Kilbride's Loaves and Fishes Food bank also fed hundreds over the festive period.
It provided 600 gift parcels, 300 plus Christmas hampers, of which roughly 280 families, 100 individuals and nearly 400 children were helped.
This included pet food, toiletries, nappies, basic foods, Christmas treats and Farmfoods vouchers.
Chairperson, Lesley Davidson, told us: "I felt real trepidation as we approached the Christmas period, our numbers were rising daily, our donations were significantly less than we would normally have expected and all of us were feeling the stress.
"Having recently moved to a larger premises to cope with the extra demands upon us, the financial pressure of this was also a great concern."
She added: "We did everything we possibly could to provide as good a Christmas possible to as many people as possible.
"We were all exhausted but ultimately our local people, schools, churches and business showered us in kindness, gifts and monetary donations. This was particularly humbling this year given that we know everyone is struggling that wee bit more.
"Despite my fears, generosity and kindness of others got us through."
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