WIDESPREAD cuts to benefits are being blamed for the hunger epidemic that is sweeping the region.

And now an army of volunteers are helping to pack and deliver baskets of supplies to between 90 and 100 homes each week.

Borders foodbank coordinator David Shepherd said: “Benefits have been frozen for two years, employment in the Borders is difficult and there are many sanctions on benefits - if you are late to sign on, your money is stopped for four weeks.

“Jobseekers allowance is £72 a week, if you need to sign on in Hawick and it is a £7 bus fare that’s 10 per cent of your money.

“Every one of our volunteers will say that they don’t like doing foodbank work in a 21st century modern European country.” There are now eight foodbanks spread across the Borders with the largest in Galashiels, where up to 35 volunteers regularly sort and package the products.

Local churches, charitable organisations and collections in supermarkets all donate towards making up the food baskets.

And more and more of the deliveries are going to families in desperate need.

Mr Shepherd added: “We are helping people who find themselves in a difficult place - one third of baskets are one-offs, 60 per cent are delivered two to four times, and often we are helping people who are just bumping along “We take referrals from social workers, children’s units and many charities.

“It is all confidential, there’s no speaking to neighbours when deliveries are made.” As part of a nationwide push last weekend Tesco customers in Galashiels donated £3,750 worth of food to the local bank - enough to fill two vans.

And volunteers, including 18-year-old Iona McGowan (photographed), spent Monday evening in St Peter’s Church making up packs for delivery.

Tesco community champion Tracy Davidson admits that customers are growing more and more sympathetic to the plight of hungry householders.

She said: “Over the three days 112 baskets were donated - that’s up from 34 on the previous donation weekend.

“Tesco work with Fairshare and the Trussell Trust, but the nearest branches are in Edinburgh so ours goes to the local foodbank here in Galashiels.”