THE number of people relying on foodbanks has skyrocketed in the past year — and aid workers have warned the desperate situation is only going to get worse.

West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare, Drumchapel Foodbank and Glasgow NW Foodbank have all reported huge increases in demand from people struggling to put food on the table.

In a special four-page report, the Post this week reveals the true picture of poverty across the region.

Across West Dunbartonshire the number of emergency food parcels handed out almost DOUBLED to 4,541 between 2013/14 and 2014/15.

Since its launch in March last year, Drumchapel Foodbank now regularly supports FIVE times more people at its weekly drop-ins.

The reason the majority of people are requesting food handouts is because they have been hit hard by the UK Government’s changes to the welfare system.

With more cuts to Working Tax Credits expected next April, it is feared that many families living just above the breadline will also be plunged into poverty.

Volunteers at West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare (WDCF) hand out supplies to needy people every Friday afternoon at Radnor Park Parish Church.

Susan Kelly, development worker for WDCF, said: “What I’m seeing is horrendous. A lot of people have truly terrifying stories.

“People’s money is just not stretching far enough. It’s simply becoming more and more expensive for people to live.

“Come April the changes to the welfare system will affect every working family that claims child and working tax credits. This will lead to an unprecedented demand for our services.” Management at each of the foodbanks have revealed that supplies run dangerously low week after week — and they are appealing for more support from the public.

* This week, the Post is launching our ‘Hungry For Change’ campaign for readers to support their local foodbank — and to speak out against the harsh welfare reforms at the heart of the problem.

Clydebank Post editor Marc McLean said: “Poverty and the reliance on foodbanks is one of the biggest issues facing the communities we serve.

“As the foodbank project workers tell us, the situation is going to get worse next year with even more adults struggling to feed themselves and their children.

“The purpose of launching the ‘Hungry For Change’ campaign is to highlight exactly how bad things have got for people in poverty, and we’ll be doing so in the coming weeks with case study articles.

“Of course, we also want to rally the public to show support for their local foodbank by donating essential supplies. This can easily be done in person or through your workplace.

“We will also be calling on the public and activists to help raise the profile of this important issue and lobby politicians who have the power to bring about change.” West Dunbartonshire Council has strongly supported WDCF with funding and introduced a collection point at its headquarters in Garshake, Dumbarton.

Council leader Martin Rooney said: “It’s a disgrace that UK government policy has resulted in the need for local foodbanks in areas like Clydebank.

“The continued attack on the low income families is exacerbating the problem and forcing more of our citizens to turn to foodbanks for help.

“This is an appalling situation and must be challenged at every political level.

He added: “I’m certainly supportive of the Clydebank Post’s campaign and would encourage residents to continue to support their local foodbank in any way they can.”