A FOODBANK is desperately appealing for more supplies after months of struggle have left them low on stock.

South Ayrshire Foodbank are seeking a helping hand from members of the public with donations of essential food products.

Volunteers had to spend £1300 of their own raised cash in January and their recent figures in April revealed a 35% rise in the number of residents relying on their service over the last year.

They are now in need of extras that help make up their nutritional three-day food boxes which go out to those who have fallen on hard times.

Last week they launched a plea asking for kind-hearted shoppers to look out for much needed items in supermarkets.

On Tuesday May 14 they asked for tins of fruit, meals, custard, rice pudding, vegetables, tinned fish, bags of rice, coffee and UHT long-life milk.

The charity is also urging people to keep them in mind over the summer months as poverty can exist all year round.

Project manager Kathy Smith told the Ayr Advertiser: “Our boxes are made up of a nutritional three days food and we like to get a good variety of foods in.

“We always get loads of donations for things like beans and soup, but its important to get a good balance in there.”

“We are looking to increase our profile so people will remember to keep donating. People are already really generous; they will put extras in their basket when they are out doing their shopping.

Their Prestwick warehouse base serves units across the whole of South Ayrshire with two in Ayr and one in Troon, Maybole and Girvan.

And the foodbank has stressed that widespread financial difficulties including the move to Universal Credit is leading to an increase in those seeking their help.

Kathy added: “We see a lot of people who come to us who have not being able to manage their money, or they are struggling with debt.”

“We get a lot of people who are on zero-hour contracts who are on just temporary contracts and then they are getting laid off.

“People are referred to us by organisations like the council/ social work/ housing associations

We will offer them a cup of tea and a chat and try and signpost them.”

Since their plea they have seen an increase in donations, but the charity are urging people to take the same generous approach all year round.