The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland has praised Church foodbank volunteers while lamenting the need for such facilities in modern-day Scotland.

Mrs Brown, who visited a foodbank during her visit to Kirkcaldy Presbytery in November, said that she wished she did not receive invitations to visit foodbanks; not that she didn’t want to visit them but because she wished they were not necessary.

She said: “The team in Kirkcaldy, and those I have met doing similar things in other parts of Scotland, are to be lauded for their efforts – but that is not why they do it.

“They do it because they know that in this day and age, one slight change in circumstances could mean they too could be in need of such help.

“People who are working but who don’t earn enough to put food on the table for their families, are turning up at foodbanks.

“Pensioners who can’t make their pension stretch to heating and to food are turning up.

“Those who, in the transition to the new benefits system are being left without anything while things are sorted out, are turning up at foodbanks.

“This is happening in 21st century Scotland.

“To those who volunteer and organise and dare to get involved – an enormous thank you from me and from the many you help with such dignity and love.

“But I still wish with all my heart that your efforts were not needed and I will commit to praying that one day that may be so.

“I hope others too will work and pray for that day.”