A FOODBANK may be forced to close after being unable to secure funding.

Drumchapel foodbank, which has been supported by the Big Lottery Fund for the past three years, now faces the axe if staff can't find any more funding.

George Thom, board member at Kingsridge Economic Development Group which runs the foodbank, said: "The money runs out in April and we've been trying to get further funding for it.

"We are taking a longer-term approach and we have also been praised as a model of good practice so it's a bit disconcerting that we're getting to the end of the funding and nobody else will fund us.

"Kingsridge Economic Development Group will put some money in to help us until we get more funding but we are really looking for donations otherwise we're just going to fold.

"It would be a real problem for the people we are helping if we had to close."

A Big Lottery fund spokesman confirmed the group's funding has now ended but added: "We are in the process of gathering information from our Support and Connect as we develop our new range of funding programmes, due to launch at the end of 2015."

Another foodbank which has been operating for just two months is also struggling to stock the shelves after seeing a huge number of people seeking help.

The Glasgow South West foodbank on Govan Road is urgently appealing for donations after running out of food last week.

Most of the 70 people and families they help every week are forced to rely on foodbanks due to zero hours contracts, benefits delays or changes.

Claire McCunnie, a consultant at the foodbank said: "The community have really helped us with donations but we may run low again. We nearly ran out of food already and we only opened in February."

In other areas of the city, makeshift foodbanks are being set up by existing groups encountering a growing number of people in need. One foodbank, run by the Crookston Community Group, started in the back of a car, driving to different sites. They now run donation points in Darnley and Pollok.

Pollok SNP Councillor David McDonald has reported seeing more foodbanks starting up in his area, and added: "The last official count put the number of food banks in Glasgow at 35, and I wouldn't be surprised if that number is now doubled as current foodbanks add new distribution points and a number of smaller foodbanks are being set as part of already established community groups.

"With more people in our city now relying on foodbanks on a regular basis I'll be asking the council to carry out a new survey of food banks in Glasgow."

As reported in the Evening Times, Glasgow City Council set up a foodbank forum last year in a bid to coordinate and strengthen the links between city foodbanks. Many organisations have praised the initiative.

A council spokesman said: "The council is working with foodbanks to ensure people who use them know about the full range of support available."