The number of Glasgow families using school uniform banks has doubled in the past year.
That's according to Sandra Douglas who founded Back to School Bank; a series of school uniform and stationery banks across Greater Glasgow and beyond. The centres collate, clean, iron and put together full sets of school uniforms for Greater Glasgow's poorest children to last one week. Parcels also contain a school bag, stationery and hand gel to help ensure no child 'feels humiliated' and 'can fit in'.
Sandra, 71, fears centres 'could be at breaking point' as many are seeing double the amount of referrals from social work, local councils, schools and Women's Aid. The gran-of-seven founded the first Back to School Bank at her home in East Renfrewshire, which we visited, back in 2017.
READ MORE: Celtic Convention chiefs speak out as Glasgow mum dies after falling ill in Las Vegas
As the registered charity grew, more branches were set up and Sandra's East Renfrewshire outfit moved to the Speirsbridge Industrial Park in Thornliebank. The warehouse is packed with donations ready to be sent out to those struggling to make ends meet.
As Glasgow schoolchildren break off for summer, Sandra fears for the 'working poor' as the soaring cost of living plunges more and more people into poverty.
She told Glasgow Live: "We split the year for referrals into parts. This is our big summer drive, last from the end of June till August.
"This time last year, we received 70 odd referrals for the summer drive. This year, we're only at the end of June and, so far, we're sitting at 150.
"This is for East Renfrewshire alone, we're talking about an area just outside Glasgow that is considered to be more affluent."
She added: "The cost of living crisis is hitting everyone. Households with two wages are being plunged into poverty.
"Families are approaching us absolutely humiliated because soaring household bill force them to choose having a roof over their heads and putting food on the table. They simply cannot afford school uniform. It's heartbreaking."
Back to School Bank has Glasgow South and Glasgow North outfits in operation. Sandra and her team of 17 East Renfrewshire volunteers assist with all other areas of the city, and also muck in with the Paisley branch.
Elsewhere in Greater Glasgow is the East Kilbride centre as well as a bank in Cumbernauld that also takes in baby clothes.
"The situation is East Renfrewshire is being seen in most if not all the uniform banks where referral numbers have doubled," Sandra added.
"We're all completely inundated. The people who take the referrals, like social work, are being flooded with requests too.
"We can't believe it but at the same time I can completely see how we got here. People cannot afford to get by."
We visited Back to School Bank at its previous site back in 2017
In December last year Glasgow Live reported that one in three of the city's children were living in poverty.
Back to School Bank parcels, for each child, include enough trousers or skirts for one week, plus five shirts. They also include a couple of jumpers, underwear, a jacket, gym clothes, trainers, shoes, socks and tights. Recipients also receive a schoolbag with school supplies and hand gel.
"Yes there are Government grants but often this isn't enough, the you've got to think of all those who are a penny off eligibility - we see that all the time and it's awful," Sandra said.
"When it comes to who we help, we don't ask questions. It's all about helping people regain a sense of pride and dignity, as that's what they often lose."
Back to School Banks heavily rely on financial support as well as donations.
To donate, volunteer or for more information on the invaluable work they do visit their website, call 07817 987122, email info@backtoschoolbank.comor head to their JustGiving page.
READ NEXT
* Glasgow flat block evacuated after fire breaks out in east end home
* Celtic Convention chiefs speak out as Glasgow mum dies after falling ill in Las Vegas
* Glasgow's 'oldest' nurse still going strong at 78 after 40 years of looking after patients
* Glasgow councillor apologises to Lord Provost over 'inappropriate' comment
* Glasgow council launches £50 million bid to build garden covering M8
