Falkirk Foodbank urges public donations as winter demand rises
A recent surge in foodbank use across Falkirk has raised concerns that rising demand throughout the winter could put pressure on supplies.
Falkirk Foodbank manager Harrison Crawford said of the recent surge: “Two weeks ago was the busiest I’ve seen since I became manager. I’ve still not had a chance to finalise the numbers, but I’d say it was up to three times the amount of an average week.”
In a development that will add further pressure to households in Falkirk and across the country, the Ofgem energy price cap rose by four per cent (about £60 a year) at the start of October. With people in the UK typically restarting their central heating around October 20, the coming months could now see a further steep rise in foodbank use across the area.
Harrison, 29, said: “People are starting to put their heating back on if they can afford it. For people who are elderly or disabled, there often isn’t much of a choice.”
With the surge in foodbank use and a wider rise in the cost of living, from food prices, fuel and energy to back-to-school costs, the range of people now accessing the service has also widened.
Explaining the wider use, Harrison said: “A lot of what we’ve been seeing over recent weeks is people who have either never used our service or haven’t used it in years. They’ve been managing for so long, and now they’re almost at breaking point.
“There are also examples of people who, not too long ago, were donating to the foodbank or through their local church, but now need a food parcel from us.
“But the important part is that their circumstances haven’t changed, the cost of living has.”
Foodbank parcels cover seven days worth of nutritionally balanced food, as well as essential toiletries. But with the worst of the autumn and winter weather yet to arrive, and donations lower than in previous years, there are concerns it could be a tough few months ahead.
Harrison, who has been manager for just over two years, said: “It’s been a difficult time. What we’re worried about is that it’s been really busy, and it usually eases off after school starts, but not this year, and it’s not yet mid-winter. What I’ve spent over the last two months is now the same as I spent in all of 2025.”
Despite the drop in food donations, there has been one slightly positive exception. Harrison, who lives in Grangemouth said: “Financial donations have been strong and not far off what they were the year before, but we’re using more of it this year, and we deliver all of our food parcels across the district using four vans.”
Harrison added: “Along with the cost of living, diesel and petrol prices have been going up recently. That puts pressure on families and people who are working, but it also pushes up the cost of services and essential items.”
The Falkirk Foodbank is appealing to football fans to support its latest collection drive at Falkirk FC’s match against Celtic on November 1. Urgently needed items include tinned meat and tinned vegetables.
Pasta, rice and biscuits are also encouraged, alongside toiletries and household cleaning products, including soap, shampoo, deodorant, toilet roll and washing-up liquid.
Harrison said: “Whatever a person can donate, even if it’s not on the list, we’ll still be grateful for it, because we need a little bit of everything at the moment.”
Every year, around 100 tonnes of food and essentials reach people in need across Falkirk. But a hungry household rarely needs just food, so every parcel includes basic toiletries, and further support is available when it’s called for. From pet food, bedding and blankets to a small appliance for cooking, the goal is to be a safety net people can count on.
Donations can be made at local supermarkets, with a full list of stores available online. Details on one-off donations and standing orders can also be found here.