Scottish Book Trust appeal brings joy to families through foodbanks

When West Lothian Foodbank delivers their emergency supplies to families in need over the Christmas period, there is one surprise within their box of essentials. Alongside the tins of carrots and potatoes, teabags and pasta, the foodbank also includes a children’s book, gifted by Scottish Book Trust. 

Kathleen Neilly, who works at the Bathgate-based foodbank, considers this gift of a book to be one of the most valuable to give a family. “It’s such a surprise, and it is really an added bonus that the parents and children weren’t expecting, and it makes a big difference to their wellbeing,” she says. “The families are going through a hard time, and that’s why they are at our door. So by giving them books, we are not only giving the children a gift, but it also helps with family bonding. The parents will read the books to their kids, which is what we all want to do when we have small children.”

The Joseph Rowntree Foundation’s 2025 Poverty Report revealed that almost a quarter of children in Scotland are living in poverty, and this impacts on whether they have books in their own home. There is no joy like seeing the delight on a child’s face when they unwrap their Christmas presents, but for many families in Scotland who are struggling to pay the basics, toys and books are an extra expense that they can’t afford. This is where Scottish Book Trust wants to step in and help. As part of their annual Christmas Appeal - backed by The Herald - the charity works with foodbanks, community groups and other charities across Scotland to distribute books to families in need.

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Not only are books an essential for children’s wellbeing, but they also offer a much-needed treat for families, allowing them to share the joy of reading. Thanks to the generosity of the public over the past five years, more than 380,000 books have been given to children living in areas of deprivation across Scotland. For many families, the only books they have at home are the ones given to them by Scottish Book Trust.

“For a lot of the adults we work with, they are living in such tough circumstances, that a book is the one thing they can enjoy that doesn’t need extra money,” says Ruth Livingston of Levenmouth Foodbank Community Support Project, which is based in Methil, Fife. “They don’t have to pay for electricity, there’s no subscription fee, and they can read the books together, at home.”

Carol Bon and Tony Prior of Peebleshire foodbank (Image: Peebleshire foodbank)

With the ongoing cost of living crisis, foodbanks are playing a vital role in supporting families. But in an increasingly tough climate, they are finding that some of the essentials are hard to come by. 

Fiona Dalgleish, of Peeblesshire Foodbank, has noticed that in recent years, poverty has become much more entrenched.

“Demand for our services has gone up 500% in the last five years so it’s tougher than ever, and we’re also finding that people don’t have enough to support us in the way they used to. There is just nothing to spare for some of these families, and we know that kids are going without presents this Christmas. You know that parents are trying their best, but there is just nothing to give. So these books are a real gift that they can share with their kids, and it brings a sense of joy, which is totally different from the normal parcels with their long-life milk, lentils and porridge.”

“We are doing ok, but donations are down,” adds Kathleen Neilly at West Lothian Foodbank. “People just don’t have the money to give, and I’m convinced it’s the cost-of-living crisis. What we are really after are tins of potatoes, tinned vegetables, tea bags, and even bars of soaps. We are struggling for the basics.”

Ruth is also finding that they meet a lot of people who are really struggling under the weight of the cost-of-living crisis. “We are one of the most deprived areas of Scotland, and so we’ve been experiencing a real downturn over the last few years. But there is something about being able to give out a new book that is really special, and so when the opportunity came up to work with Scottish Book Trust, we jumped on it.”

Mary Reilly at Levenmouth (Image: Levenmouth foodbank)

Levenmouth has a slightly different approach to how they distribute their books to families. They have a help-yourself table, where they put a selection of books on display, they let their clients browse through them, with volunteers sometimes even reading with the kids. The child can then decide if they want to take that book home.

“There’s definitely been times when we can see how much it means to a client,” says Ruth. “Last year, we gave a book to a woman who said it was the first book her baby had ever been given, and we saw the wonder in her eyes. We knew it would be a well used book.”

Fiona still remembers an email she received last Christmas, from a mum who said their children were just delighted they were getting brand new books. To have their own books, rather than borrowed, was an unusual experience for them, which made it all the more special.

Fiona has been helping put together a hamper which will then be distributed to about 220 families of the most disadvantaged in Peeblesshire in time for Christmas. “They will be getting Christmas goodies, chocolates, and at least one book per child, wrapped by Scottish Book Trust,” she says. “It’s such a nice thing, and it’s the third year in a row we’ve been doing this. 

“We go into people’s houses and they have no carpet, let alone books. And I know how important books were to my children, so to be able to give them brain food as well as nourishment is a really fabulous thing, and the parents appreciate it as they feel valued. ”

Please donate at scottishbooktrust.com