A food bank in the Southside of Glasgow says they love seeing the joy on the faces of those in need when they give them special Christmas parcels.
Glasgow SE Food Bank (GSEFB) in Govanhill provide vital support to those who need it through referrals and partner agencies.
The area, which last year stark statistics showed had the highest child poverty rate in the UK, is faced with challenges and the increasing pressure of the cost of living crisis.
The food bank sees a "steady, high demand" for their services, but have seen a drop in donations, which leaves them worried for the festivities - the busiest time of year for them.
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They offer advice as well as food, and prioritise "seeing the whole person or family" to try and help them improve their situation, by helping maximise income or manage debt for example.
At this time of year, they're also keen to try and give something special to those in need.
Denise Ritchie, manager at GSEFB explained: "At this time of year, in addition to our standard food parcels, we also give out gift parcels to a couple of hundred families who are identified by some of our partner agencies who are particularly in need of a boost at Christmas.
"We try to help them have a good time, as close to a normal Christmas as we can.
"It's incredible just to see their faces and see the reaction sometimes when they see what they get.
"It really does make such a difference."
Donald Britton, 71, has been a volunteer at GSEFB for nine years. He added: "Unsurprisingly, it's the busiest time.
"A combination of the festive season and the winter, we do find that there's a bigger draw on our resources.
"We do go the extra mile at Christmas, it's especially important that the kids get something, even wee selection boxes and such like."
Denise, 55, joined the food bank as manager last year, and has been taken aback by "all walks of life" who are using their services.
She said: "I don't know how many days I've been struck again by the reality that this could be me. This could be anybody.
"We're one month away apparently, one month away from a crisis."
GSEFB work on a referral only basis, and need help to support the individuals and families they do.
Donald added that although people still talk about "food poverty" they try and help more as "it's just basically poverty as far as we're concerned because they've got food poverty, they've got gas and electricity poverty, and they've got debt."
You can help GSEFB and other vital services like them by donating to our campaign later this month.
For further information on the Glasgow Times' Bank On Us campaign, visit HERE.
This festive season, the Glasgow Times is once again highlighting the work food banks do to ensure families across the city have food on the table.
In the lead-up to Christmas, we will be sharing volunteers’ stories, providing this vital service in association with Allied Vehicles, Arnold Clark, BAE Systems, Glasgow Taxis, Panthera, Scotwest, SPAR, Stagecoach, StepChange Scotland Debt Charity, Smyths Toys, Storage Vault, TPS Scotland and The Wise Group.
On November 21, we will place a bag in every copy of the newspaper and ask our readers to fill it with food items and take it to their local food bank.
You can also donate to our children's Toy Appeal here .
Help us make a difference!
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