People are starting to feel the impact of price increases being placed on everyday items.
We spoke to some organisations in Annandale to see if they had been feeling any effects so far.
Food bank usage has recently increased at Kate’s Kitchen in Annan and donations for some essential items has reduced significantly.
Kate’s Kitchen manager, Hazel Thompson stated that she has seen people distressed about the situation over the last couple of weeks. She has also warned the issue is “only going to get worse”.
Hazel said: “It’s a crisis at the moment and it’s only going to get worse, people have come in here in tears.
“We have two support workers and they are busier now than they have ever been.
“There has been a 50 per cent increase in food parcels handed out over the last four months.
“Donations of coffee, long-life milk, toiletries and pet food donations are all down, they are all really common items.
“We also now have our Affordable Food Project and 51 people have joined up so far.
“We must thank Tesco, the local churches and everyone else who helps with donations, we are very grateful for everything that we receive.”
With increases in food and fuel prices, the outgoings have increased at Annan Day Centre but manager Emma Irving says there will not be a price increase for members.
She said: “The last thing we want to do is increase costs for our members.
“We have had a lot of support from our funders. We have not had a price increase in three years and there will not be an increase this year either.
“Our concern is the winter months, we want people to use our services rather than be at home and have to choose between heating and eating.
“Here they can spend a couple of hours outside the house in some company.”
Alison Menzies from Ecclefechan Day Centre has not felt any impacts as of yet, but she is concerned regarding what the future may hold.
She said: “For us it is just coming to light now.
“It will hit us in the coming months and I am worried for our service users.”
Alison Hampson from Gretna Day Centre added: “Our food costs have increased but we have been very lucky with our donations.
“Gretna Green Group have been very good for us all the way through Covid and still now. So we would like to thank them.
“We also appreciate all of the donations from Co-op and other members of the community as well.”
Prices are expected to continue increasing going into the winter months and there is a collective concern shared amongst businesses and households for what the future might hold.
Emma Harper MSP has reported an increase in desperate calls being received at her Dumfries office, from constituents concerned about how they will survive into autumn and winter as the costs of everyday consumables continues to rise.
She held a cost of living advice surgery at Newington Leisure Centre on Monday.
