A FOODBANK that has dealt with a 42 per cent increase in demand is calling for support.

Glasgow South West Foodbank also saw a 20 per cent increase in demand over the summer holidays.

The charity has provided 1512 individual three day food packages, 544 to children over the holiday.

That means total numbers are about 20 per cent more than in the previous six and a half weeks and the numbers of children supported are a third more.

On the same period last year, food parcel need has increased 42 per cent, which means more than 12,000 food packages would been needed in the financial year.

Nick Hopkins, chairman of Glasgow South West Foodbank, said: "Across Glasgow parents will be feeling a sense of relief today as their kids head back to school.

"For lots of parents who come to our foodbank, that relief will be all the greater.

"Holiday times mean extra pressure on budgets as families try to cope without free school meals.

"At Glasgow South West Foodbank we’ve also got mixed emotions today.

"Relief. Because it has been an incredibly busy summer.

"Sadness. Because everyone coming to us is struggling, and because our work doesn’t stop.

"Nervousness. Because even in advance of Universal Credit being fully introduced in Glasgow our numbers are massively up against last year.

"Fear. Because those numbers mean our food stocks and our finances are under real pressure.

"Donations of food are always lower in the Summer, and buying food for our clients this summer holiday has cost us about £4,500.

"It would have been more without a couple of big out of the blue donations.

"This means we need help."

The charity is now asking for donations of food at Ibrox Parish Church on a Monday from noon til 2pm; Mosspark Baptist Church on Wednesday noon til 2pm; and Hillington Park Church on Fridays from 10am til 1pm.

Contact the foodbank at claire@glasgowsw.foodbank.org.uk or phone 07437910115 to arrange another time for drop off.

Donations can be given at www.justgiving.com/glasgow-sw-foodbank

The foodbank is also aiming to get 200 people signed up to give between £5 and £20 a month - see www.glasgowsw.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/donate-money/