Huge surge in demand at Kirkcaldy Foodbank

There has been a sharp rise in demand for help from Kirkcaldy Foodbank as more people and families are finding it increasingly difficult to make ends meet during the coronavirus pandemic.

The latest report from the independent charity shows that since restrictions were imposed in March, there has been a major rise in requests from families and couples.

This month has seen a 17 per cent increase in the number of visits to the frontline community service.

In January and February, the foodbank provided an average of 19,500 meals per month.

“That is expected to rise to rise to 27,972 this month – a 43 per cent increase in less than three months.

Joyce Leggate, chairman of Kirkcaldy Foodbank said: “We have been seeing a big increase in couples and families using the foodbank with the schools being closed.

“A lot of them rely on free school meals, and being in lockdown has put extra pressure on them.

“In the past few weeks we have doubled our expenditure on food.

“We are now spending over £4000 a week, and we seem to be coping at the moment as supplies are coming back on stream from supermarkets.

“A lot of local businesses have gone into administration and a number of people have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus so there is also an increase of the numbers who may need our support.”

Since previous appeals for public support, donations have been pouring in and extra volunteers have been joining the ranks to ensure the foodbank remains open to help the most vulnerable in the community.

Added Joyce: “There has been a huge amount of support, and a new army of volunteers have stepped up to join our existing staff.

“Local businesses have also been tremendously supportive – without all of their help we couldn’t have got by.

“I would like to also thank the Linton Lane Centre and New Volunteer House for all the work they are doing in remaining open to support the foodbank.

“We are very grateful for all of the support that the public has given us through our GoFundMe page, and I would like to give a huge thank you to everyone who has donated.”

Joyce warned that there may be more difficult times ahead as lockdown continues and businesses remain closed or operating to reduced capacity.

“It really has been brought home how many people need support from the foodbank,” she said.

“A lot of people may only be one or two paydays away from needing our help.

“We can’t take our eye off the ball just yet, we still have a long road ahead.”