Extra community support and funding from the council and government has helped prevent foodbanks in Glasgow being overwhelmed by demand during the lockdown.

The Trussell Trust reported an increase UK wide of 89% in foodbank usage in April.

In Scotland the increase was lower, at 47%, the lowest of the four UK countries.

In England the number of people fed by Trussell Trust foodbanks increased by 95% in April, in Wales it was 89% and in Northern Ireland it more than doubled.

In Glasgow, while some reported an increase, one foodbank said it had seen a drop in the number of supplies it gave out in April.

The organisers, working at community level, said while the overall demand for help has been higher as a result of the pandemic, there are more organisations providing support, which has reduced the burned on the established foodbanks.

One of the foodbank managers said the council providing vouchers for families in place of free school meals helped stave off an emergency.

Kyle McCormick, project manager at Glasgow North West, foodbank said: “When the schools closed Glasgow City Council brought out the £20 vouchers for all children who qualified for a clothing grant. It helped a lot of people and had an immediate impact.”

The North West figures showed a fall in three day packages issued from 1070 in April 2019 to 421 this year.

Ms McCormick, said: “There has also been extra support available from other smaller organisations who have opened up.

“While April was lower, we expect May to be higher as other organisations may have to wind down their operations.”

Later in the year the demand is expected to increase as the burden begins to fall on the established organisations again.

In the south west of the city there was an increase but not as high as reported across the UK.

Audrey Flannagan, manager of the Glasgow South West foodbank said there was a big increase when lockdown started and over April demand was up by 40%.

She said: “Hundreds of small groups have been delivering food to people who are isolating, which is great.

“The bigger concern is when the smaller groups have to close who is going to pick up the demand.

“By October we think we will see it even busier.”

She also said that the Scottish Government has been good at releasing funds to help organisations manage the extra demand caused by the pandemic.

Ms Flannagan said here were talks as early as January with the city council and she said early planning will have had an impact.”

The Trussell Trust report pointed towards different approached having an impact.

It stated: “Policy differences may also impact on how levels of need evolve in different areas of the UK.

“For example, Scotland have committed to working towards a ‘cash-first’ approach.

“These may evolve over time, for instance in policy differences on supporting children entitled to free school meals when schools are closed.”