DEMAND for food parcels from a county charity over the festive period reached a record high.

East Lothian Foodbank revealed the startling figures last week, with more than 320 parcels delivered in the run-up to Christmas.

The foodbank, based in Tranent, also told the Courier that its annual Jingle Bags appeal resulted in more than 460 Jingle Bags, containing traditional Christmas fare such as mince pies, Christmas crackers and tinned turkey, being distributed to families in need.

Peter Dicker, manager of the foodbank, which provides a minimum of three days’ emergency food to people in crisis, thanked volunteers for their efforts at the charity and those who made donations.

He said: “Once again it was a challenging month at the foodbank and I have to again thank all our volunteers for the outstanding effort they have put in this year.

“Some folk came in every day, many came in multiple times and we are so grateful for your help.

“We were also humbled by the generosity of the East Lothian community as they responded to our Christmas appeal.

“We need to analyse why this year was so busy – there’s no doubt that many families are finding it harder to make ends meet with all the pressures of Christmas and, because we close over the holiday, many referral agents want to help their clients in the run-up to Christmas.”

Demand for food parcels has almost doubled in the last five years, with staff under intense pressure.

Now, supermarket giants Asda have teamed up with The Trussell Trust and food waste charity Fareshare to launch a £20 million fund to support foodbanks across the country.

East Lothian Foodbank has received £58,000 from the fund, with the money to be spent over the next three years on staffing.

Candace Higgins, who works at the Bridges Project in Musselburgh, will take on the role of foodbank director.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to supporting staff and volunteers, ensuring we deliver a gold standard emergency food service.

“It’s also vital that, as a team, we take a strategic approach to the future, developing ‘more than food’ projects which aim to actually reduce the need for food parcels in the long-term.

“As always with a small charity, funding will be a key challenge, but it’s great that the foodbank enjoys such support with local people in East Lothian.”

The charity hosts its annual general meeting on January 29 in St Martin’s Church Hall, on Tranent’s High Street, at 12.30pm.