More than 60 hungry Fifers turned to a foodbank for handouts in its first six weeks.
Levenmouth Foodbank was launched in September as more and more people find themselves in financial crisis, compounded by the recession, benefit changes, the so-called bedroom tax and soaring energy bills.
The foodbank, based in the church hall in Bowling Green Street, Methil, has had more than three tonnes of food donated.
Good relationships have been established with local branches of Asda and Sainsbury’s and a team of 50 volunteers recruited. It is led by Leven Baptist Church with the support of several other churches in Levenmouth.
Fife Council’s Levenmouth area committee approved a contribution of £8,100 after hearing about some of the people who had been forced to go with begging bowls.
One was a parent with seven children to feed and another, a man, had not eaten for four days.
A single mother who found herself out of work for the first time and was struggling with the benefits system was embarrassed to approach the foodbank but had sought help for the sake of her children.
As Fife councillors agreed the one-off grant to help the Trussell Trust-affiliated initiative, they voiced outrage people could be too impoverished to feed themselves in 21st Century Britain.
Councillor Andrew Rodger said: “It’s disgraceful in a civilised society like Britain we have foodbanks because of what is going on at UK level.”
He urged the Government to “get its act together” to make sure people were properly provided for.
Levenmouth locality support team leader Stewart Christie said: “The foodbank was established in order to address an obvious need in the wider Levenmouth area dealing directly with the effects of extreme poverty.
“In terms of the reasons people have presented themselves, some of them have had changes to their benefits or benefit delays.
“Some of them have had various homelessness issues and some have had employment issues.”
Added to £7,000 contributed by the churches, the council grant will help pay for a part-time coordinator, insurance, utility bills and other costs.