FOODBANKS across the country are having to shut up shop because of falling donations and volunteers due to the coronavirus pandemic, but one facility in Scotland is gearing up for a 500% increase in its work.

First Base Agency food bank at Summerhill, in Dumfries, started off this week with a decision not to close its doors and to focus on going from 120 food parcels a week to at least 600, with virtually no donations of food and no ability to buy any in.

Sourcing the packets and tins it usually depends on was “clearly impossible” said Mark Frankland, the author, blogger and New Scot who manages the food bank.

He told The National yesterday: “I’m pleased to report that it looks more achievable now than it did first thing Monday morning. In such a dismal, miserable time it’s been quite encouraging to see lots of people stepping up and saying ‘what can I do’, including the council.

“I’ve got good vibes now that between various organisations ... I think we’re going to be able to very quickly get something into place which stands a chance.”

The lack of usual provisions didn’t stop Frankland and his volunteers and by yesterday they had secured a tonne of broth mix and had enlisted the help of volunteers at Summerhill Community Centre to cook “industrial quantities” of soup.

This is being put into plastic food containers and stored in freezers. Kerr and Nick Little, who run the award-winning Little Bakery in Dumfries, are also giving the food bank as many pies and rolls as they need. Frankland added: “It feels like there is a kind of acceptance that everyone’s going to have to gather what resources they can and make them work in harness and if that’s the case we can just about keep up.”