Tayside foodbank users are turning up in cars or taxis to get parcels.
Major Jim McCluskey of the Salvation Army in Forfar said people who previously wouldn’t have dreamed of using a foodbank are now frequenting the service.
That includes a few “middle class” users who have fallen on hard times since the recession.
Mr McCluskey said anyone who attends the Chapel Street centre in a car or taxi will face stern questions over their priorities.
He added: “We have had people turn up in cars for a food parcel and said to them there’s some choices you got to make here.
“We have had folk turning up in taxis and said the same thing.
“In those circumstances we would assess the situation and if we think they could afford to go to the supermarket we will tell them no.”
Over the last two years the number seeking parcels has rocketed from one or two per week to more than a dozen every day.
Mr McCluskey said a minority of previously well-off families can sometimes be among them.
“It was always folk who had other issues in their lives, like drugs or alcohol or health issues, but now it’s gone through the roof,” he said.
The unit hands out food parcels lasting two or three days and only once per month to the same person.
“Someone can lose their job and their comfortable lifestyle and there is suddenly no income, but the bills keep coming.”