FAMILIES are being forced to make “impossible decisions” this festive season as the demand on groups offering support during the cost-of-living crisis continues to grow.

East Lothian Foodbank and the Pennypit Trust have painted stark pictures in terms of the number of people needing their services through the winter.

The Tranent-based foodbank reported that it was 28 per cent busier in November compared to the same period last year, with more than 12,600 parcels handed out in the first 11 months of 2023 – more than a third of those receiving parcels are children.

Meanwhile, hundreds of families, including 1,000 children, across the most disadvantaged parts of the county will receive essential support from the Pennypit Community Development Trust.

The group, based in Prestonpans, has launched its festive provision to help those in need in the Preston Seton Gosford, Fa’side and Musselburgh areas.

This year, the charity has seen a “massive rise” in referrals, surging to about 1,000 children compared to the 700 it helped last year.

The trust has been running its festive provision for five years, initially starting in Prestonpans before growing over the years to help more people throughout the Tranent and Musselburgh areas.

'Choosing between heating and eating'

A spokesperson for East Lothian Foodbank said: “We don’t want to spend every winter saying things are getting worse, but they are.

“Families are still being forced to make impossible decisions. No one should have to choose between life’s essentials.”

Elaine Morrison, manager of the foodbank, told the Courier that things were getting “worse” for people every winter.

She said: “It is deprivation. People are really choosing between heating and eating.

“People are turning up just in a poor state and you can just see they are struggling. More people are saying now they cannot afford to turn heating on and we have been giving out blankets, which we did last year.”

Demand for the foodbank has reached such a level that the charity has outgrown its premises on Tranent’s Civic Square, with attempts being made to find a new, larger home.

Traditionally, the foodbank would urge people to donate festive staples to ensure people and families had the option of a Christmas dinner.

However, it has reached such a situation that it is now urging people to “help to ensure we have the essentials we need to provide meals for any day of the week”.

Meanwhile, the Pennypit Trust delivers presents to children as well as meals for families across Christmas and New Year – in total this represents at least 2,500 meals delivered, as well as hundreds of gifts to children who would otherwise not receive anything.

East Lothian Courier: Pennypit Trust volunteers and members connected communities team have been collecting donations of food, presents and essentials to deliver across East Lothian this festive season

The charity also provides winter warming essentials and other items to support people.

Jonathan Sharples, community in schools facilitator and lunch club lead at the trust, said: “We appreciate the support from our community across the year but especially during the festive period, when we see a huge surge in demand. This year we are supporting over 1,000 children and young people across PSG, Fa’side and Musselburgh.

“It’s special to see the families’ stress go away by offering them support – in an ideal world, we wouldn’t have to do it.

“I have had families in tears on the phone – without this support, children wouldn’t be able to have the presents that every kid should.”

He added that, if it were not for the work that the Pennypit and other similar organisations do, “Christmas wouldn’t exist for these families”.

The delivery of the essentials is a massive undertaking for the charity, involving more than 100 volunteers, and Mr Sharples stressed the vital role that they played.

He said: “It’s key. We are lucky to have these people backing us. From drivers, funding and donations, without them we wouldn’t be able to support [families]. We appreciate every donation that we get.”

The Pennypit Trust is delivering its presents to families tomorrow (Friday), its jingle bags on Saturday and its New Year bags on December 29.

Those wishing to volunteer to deliver items can email Lisa.Irvine@penny pittrust.com

The charity relies on funding from a range of sources, ranging from community councils, area partnerships, local businesses, churches, schools and developers such as Seagreen and Inch Cape.

Debbie Middlemass, vice chair of Fa’side Area Partnership, said there was an increase in demand in the area of about 30 per cent from last year, adding: “Fa’side Area Partnership took a decision to try to support local residents who are in need. We have therefore partnered with the Pennypit Community Development Trust, who are seen as a key and trusted local partner to deliver our festive provision this year.”