Food parcels pressure mounts

CHARITY workers supplying emergency food parcels to people across Annandale and Eskdale say there has been no let up in desperate pleas for help — and fear demand will grow in the coming year.

The team at The First Base Agency have helped nearly 30,000 people with emergency food supplies over the past two decades.

In recent months the charity had to stop issuing emergency food parcels to other organisations — including Annan’s Kate’s Kitchen — as a result of the pressure on its services.

Volunteers at First Base revealed that demand has “escalated substantially”, and also gave an insight into the humiliation and embarrassment often felt by recipients seeking support – despite widely-acknowledged high poverty levels in the region.

In a recent application to Dumfries and Galloway Council for annual grant funding, The charity stated: “Over the last 15 years demand for our emergency food parcels has escalated substantially.

“In the last 12 months we have helped 2000 people in Annandale and Eskdale.

“This figure might well grow in the coming year.

“However for the purposes of this application we are budgeting on demand remaining the same.

“The need for the service being required is proved by the ongoing demand we continue to meet.

“The impact of the ‘cost of living’ crisis has been widely reported and acknowledged. It

is hard indeed to see any reasons why there will be a fall in demand for the service we offer. A continued rise is probably more likely.”

It continued: “The number of people accessing our service is compelling. Asking for a food parcel is something nobody ever wants to do.

“Many find it humiliating and are terrified of being seen.

“Sadly, there are still high levels of stigma shown to those experiencing poverty. We simply keep a record of the total number of people we help with emergency food.

“Of course, some of the 2000 people we will help in 2025/26 could probably manage to get by without our help. However, this is a very small percentage. Of much greater are the hundreds of people who do not seek our help as a result of shame or a fear of being seen.”

The First Base Agency also explained that locals who were once given food parcel support often pay it forward when their finances and circumstances improve.

They added: “Our mission is clear – we will provide emergency food provision across Annandale and Eskdale to ensure no one goes hungry.”

In Annan, Kate’s Kitchen manager Helen McAnespie yesterday said demand for services was on the rise, but she added that the charity would never turn anyone away – offering advice and help when needed.

She said: “The demand (for food) is going up, but donations have went down. People are struggling and food keeps going up in price.

“We will never turn anyone away if they come in here for help.”

Helen also pointed out some of the services currently being offered by Kate’s Kitchen, including the Old Bank Community Cafe and the affordable food shop, where 15 items can be purchased for £5.

A Dumfries and Galloway Council spokesperson said: "Dumfries and Galloway Council remains firmly committed to supporting our most vulnerable residents. Over the past decade, we’ve invested more than £21 million in targeted initiatives to tackle poverty, reduce inequalities and respond to the Cost of Living Crisis, alongside the vital everyday work carried out across our services. "This year alone, £1.6 million is being directed into local projects, including: FareShare memberships for Community Food Providers to distribute free food region-wide. Emergency Energy Assistance to help households heat their homes during winter. Area Committee Grants for locally-driven anti-poverty initiatives. "The area committee model empowers elected members to make funding decisions based on the needs of their communities, ensuring support reaches those who need it most. First Base Agency is one of the organisations applying through this fund."