A LOCAL charity says donations are the lowest in its 20-year history - when demand is greater than ever.

Starter Packs Inverclyde blames the economic climate for the dip in contributions.

Manager June Glancy says charities are all competing for the same resources and it is becoming more difficult year-on-year.

She said: "It's the worst it's ever been in terms of donations and there is still a great deal of need.

"I think it's the economic climate and people are supporting other charities such as foodbanks.

"People can't support everybody. Our donations are gradually getting smaller, with less churches contributing.

"There are not so frequent contributions, and not as much.

"We used to have a big list of churches who gave donations, there would be a collection in the church and a co-ordinator would bring it to us.

"If you don't know anyone personally in the church, it's difficult and there are so many other collections. I appreciate that.

"Inverkip Church has continued to support us, we received a donation from them the other day."

June stressed that she is very grateful for the community's continued support, most recently a donation of a £1,000 from The Arnold Clark Community Fund.

She said: "We helped 35 households in June, in April it was 36 and in May it was 47 households, which included 32 children.

"Every child gets their own hygiene pack, toothpaste, toothbrush, shower gel, shampoo and sponge, we also provide baby packs."

June says that demand has grown over the years with more groups looking for help.

She said: "When we started 20 years ago, we supported homeless people and Women's Aid.

"We are still helping homeless people who have been given a tenancy, we receive social work referrals and from Barnardo's Nurture Service; we get requests for dishes, kettles and toasters.

"We also get referrals to help Ukrainians and asylum seekers who have received positive decisions.

"We can't see the end of the tunnel, however, these people need help of some sort."

June added that they are not a new charity and other new projects which offer a different kind of support, such as Man On and Compassionate Inverclyde, are also looking for help.

She says there is still a perception about people who are homeless, that it is due to alcohol or drugs issues, that somehow people have brought it upon themselves.

She said: "There's a saying that anyone is only two salary cheques away from homelessness - it could happen to anyone."

If anyone would like to make a donation they should call 787141.