A FOOD bank in the northwest of Glasgow has nearly tripled its number of users since 2021, as more people struggle to make ends meet each week.
St Gregory’s Food Bank in Maryhill, Glasgow, has reported a 77% increase in the number of bags distributed on Mondays compared to 2022, with volunteers saying people are coming from "quite a distance".
In 2022, the volunteers provided 1555 bags to those in need, while in 2024, that number rose to 2759 bags.
Mags MacDonald, a volunteer, said there has been a "steady increase since the end of October," with the food bank distributing an average of 700 bags each week.
She explained that the working poor, such as working adults with children, are the largest group needing help and struggle to make ends meet at the end of each day.
“Mondays are the busy days,” she said, as the food bank is closed on the weekend.
The following week of November 18 saw an increase, with 867 people seeking assistance, including 112 adults and 95 children on the Monday morning alone.
However, the volunteers at St. Gregory’s Food Bank were unprepared for what would become their record-breaking week. During the week of November 25 to November 29, a total of 925 people came for help, and 332 bags were distributed.
December is following the trend as in two weeks 1671 people came to the food bank.
She explained that the rise in people using the food bank is due to the increasing cost of living and more people being sanctioned by the benefit office – and they are expecting more pensioners before the end of the year.
"Even GPs are calling because their patients are not eating. It’s appalling," said MacDonald, adding that by the end of the week, the food bank is empty.
She explained that each person can get a basic food bag once a week, which includes items like rice, pasta, eggs, and milk amongst others.
People can also come during the week to pick up bread and other items left outside the front door.
St Gregory’s Food Bank does not have government help. It relies on donations from businesses, churches or people donating.
Father Allan Cameron, the priest who lends his house to the food bank, said: "There is a strong probability that, being open five mornings per week, that we are among the busiest foodbanks in Glasgow.
“The increasing number of people coming for help is frightening. Without our volunteers and supporters, where would all these people get the help they so desperately need?"
Ingrid Mitchell, a volunteer for four years who helps on her days off, explained that “everything had to grow in size to accommodate" the amount of people coming, with Father Cameron needing to relocate to the second floor of the house he is lending the food bank.
"Every week, we seem to have a new peak in the number of bags."
Paul was volunteering during the record week of November 25.
"It never stopped, the whole time, it kept coming," he explained, noting that people were queuing far outside the door, with many new faces.
Some weeks, Hegarty said, they conduct a postcode census to understand where people are coming from, and he has noticed that many are coming "from quite a distance".
Donations to support the food bank can be made via their website.
