In 2014 I wrote a newspaper article on food banks, with the hope that in the next decade the need would greatly reduce. Sadly this is far from reality.
In December 2014, the Trussell Trust reported that 10,489 people visiting Scottish food banks were given a three-day supply of nutritionally balanced food by the charity - a third of them children.
By 2021/22 a record 2.5 million food bank parcels were given to people in crisis by the organisation across the UK.
One of the most basic elements of human rights is food, but particularly in the current climate people are forced to make the devastating choice between heating or eating.
READ MORE: Food bank boss issues 'year of catastrophe’ warning as prices skyrocket
In Scotland today there are over 130 food banks, operating in 26 local authorities. And the Trussell Trust is just the tip of the iceberg, with many more charitable food aid providers in operation, including independent food banks and the Salvation Army.
A spokesman say from the Trussell Trust said: "We don't want anyone to need food banks. We work with local and national organisations, as well as the Scottish Government, to prevent anyone running out of money for food and other essentials."
The majority (77%) of working age people referred to a food bank in early 2020 were people with a disability. This may be for a number of different reasons.
Often people with a disability develop mental health issues through time. Poor mental health affected over half (54%) of households referred to food banks in the Trussell Trust networks in Scotland in late 2019 or early 2020.
Almost half of the UK's population are disabled, or live with someone who has a disability. Factor in the high cost of coping with a disability, and the struggles disabled people face in finding jobs that pay enough, this becomes a dire situation.
In March 2020 the world changed immeasurably and every household in UK was plunged into lockdown, with the majority of disabled people isolating with underlying health conditions.
Food banks continued to work alongside local charities and community groups to deliver food and essential supplies to people who are unable to go to them. One of these groups is East Renfrewshire-based disability charity Include Me 2, with the support of local businesses and volunteers who packed grocery boxes and cooked nutritious meals, mindful of Covid regulations.
READ MORE: Tory MPs' enraging food bank selfies sum up Dickensian Britain
Thousands of similar groups all over the country have stepped up unconditionally to make a difference, working with government funding and schemes to keep those with (and caring for those with) disabilities from falling desperately below the breadline.
As we slowly emerge from pandemic to endemic, and the world adjusts to the new normal, it remains to be seen if enough is being done to reduce demand for food banks, but what is clear is society has stepped up collectively to support those in need.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here