Why are people using Scottish food banks?

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Trussell Trust food banks were visited by 10,489 people in December 2014 - a third of them were childrenImage source, Thinkstock
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Trussell Trust food banks were visited by 10,489 people in December 2014 - a third of them were children

BBC Scotland has obtained new figures from the Trussell Trust that reveal a record number of adults and children relied upon their food banks in Scotland in December 2014.

Often seen as a necessity only for the unemployed or those on welfare, the Trust's data suggests even people with jobs are receiving emergency food packages.

For the first time in 2014, the majority of users blamed low income - and not welfare benefit delays or changes - for having to rely on emergency food packages from the Trust.

Here is a breakdown, by food bank, of the three most common reasons cited by people who used Trussell Trust food banks in December 2014.

  • BBC Scotland wants your help in compiling a definitive list of all the food banks in Scotland. Please take just one minute to fill out this short form, external with details of your local food bank(s).

Some notes about food banks missing from this table:

  • Edinburgh Central functions as part of the Edinburgh NW food bank;

  • Moray and Rutherglen and Cambuslang food banks have had ongoing issues with their data collection systems;

  • Cumbernauld and Kilsyth food banks are undergoing development and have not yet opened to the public.