Struggling families are urged not to be embarrassed to seek help from Food Banks.

Just six weeks ago, the Chronicle revealed that yipworld had become the latest referal agent to the food bank in East Ayrshire.

So far only a 'handful’ of desperate people have come forward in a bid to feed themselves and family.

But yipworld’s Development Director Janice Hendry has assured complete confidentiality and urged anyone struggling not to leave it too late before they run out of food.

She said: “I had a conversation with one of the organisers of the Food Banks as we’ve not had many people in taking up vouchers since we became an referral agent.

“But we know there are people out there struggling. It can often be that people who are struggling don’t want to ask for help as there is a stigma attached to it.

“But there is nothing to be embarrassed about.

“Nobody is going to judge them - nobody at all. And we will offer them as much help as possible.

“And everything is done under the strictest confidence.

“My advice would be not to leave it too late. If you realise you are short on a Thursday don’t go without food over the weekend. Come to us on Thursday night, pick up your voucher and get food for the weekend.

“There is nothing more important than feeding your family.

“Social Work are keen for people to take up the offer of vouchers if they need them. It means they will definitely have some food as, if there is some money available, it might be spent on other things.” The Chronicle revealed back in February 26 how the demand for Food Bank handouts had risen by 15 per cent and was expected to keep going up.

Anyone who feels that they may need to use the service of the Food Bank, or would like to set up a collection point, they should contact CVO on 01563 574000 for more information on the referral system and criteria.

Plans to develop the network of food banks across Scotland were given a boost of £944,708 from the Big Lottery Fund on Tuesday. The news came on the same day as the UK wide charity, The Trussell Trust, released new figures confirming that 71,428 Scots relied on food banks to feed themselves over the last year.