FOOD bank fatigue” has hit donations of lifeline supplies – four years after George Square was filled with goods in the wake of the independence referendum.

The Glasgow city centre site became a makeshift collection point in September 2014 when Andrew and Darren Carnegie of the Glasgow’s Needy food aid charity appealed for donations from the public.

The call followed tensions between No and Yes backers in the square the day previously, with police having to make several arrests. A Saltire was set alight, flares were set off and Nazi-style salutes were seen.

But the following day scores of shopping bags filled with groceries were donated for distribution amongst the city’s struggling families as a result of the Carnegies’ plea.

David Findlay of Airdrie Foodbank says his organisation experienced a similar boost, with another following the Tory General Election win in 2015.

But the charity coordinator says Scots are no longer outraged at the existence of the volunteer-run groups, and while demand for help is “relentless”, donations are petering out.

He told The National: “We opened a month before the referendum and the amount of support when the result came in was unbelievable. People were dropping bags off in George Square, and we had that too.

“We saw that again when the Tories won the general election.

“But it seems to be waning now. There is food bank fatigue.”

Findlay’s team distributed more than 3550 packs of emergency supplies in the 12 months until the end of May – which is enough to feed almost 10% of the town’s population.

The service, which operates from three locations, provided lunch packs for pupils during the summer holidays, and will now keep these going over weekends to help parents feed their kids while school is out.

Its backers include A-list actor Hugh Grant, who has made two generous donations of supplies.

But Findlay says the apolitical operation, which is part of the Trussell Trust network, faces a constant battle to ensure it has the pasta, tinned goods and toiletries needed to keep families afloat.

And while Westminster says its benefits regime is helping families, Findlay said: “The demand is relentless, mainly because of Universal Credit. We also have people who have come to this country and aren’t entitled to very much, and people who are in alcohol and drug counselling.

“Our figures speak for themselves. We can’t influence what goes on in government, though Trussell Trust try and our MP Neil Gray is very passionate about ways to help.

“Ultimately decisions are made and we have to try and support the folk who are at the end of those decisions. It’s hard when you hear the stories, there are no two cases the same.”

He went on: “We are seen as part of the social furniture. This is not just in Glasgow or Edinburgh or Dundee or Airdrie, it’s in places like Dingwall.

“It’s hard when we are constantly asking people to give, but without that we can’t be there to support people when they need us.”

Airdrie Foodbank is looking for volunteers and donations of non-perishable goods. To help, visit www.airdrie.foodbank.org.uk where there is a link for financial contributions.