The energy and home services provider is currently only attending emergency callouts and essential visits for vulnerable customers, in order to manage demand and follow social distancing guidelines.

It anticipates that many of its engineers and other employees will have a lighter workload as a result and can fit community work around their day jobs.

As part of a new partnership with the Trussell Trust, Scottish Gas colleagues are being encouraged to volunteer at their local food banks, after the charity revealed it is struggling to get supplies to those who are in need.

More than 1,000 Scottish Gas employees have volunteered to help deliver the parcels.

Food banks forced to change

To prevent people from coming into close contact with others, many food banks have closed, and parcels are now being delivered to those who need them most instead.

The Trussell Trust, which manages more than 1,200 food banks across the UK, is also struggling to collect food donations and transport them back to local hubs.

Its normal network of 28,000 volunteers has been curtailed because many are aged over 70 and are now self-isolating, because they are deemed 'at risk' of getting coronavirus.

Scottish Gas hopes its workforce of 6,000 engineers and others across the business will support the delivery of 50,000 food parcels a month, as well as donating food, collecting donations and putting the food parcels together.

More than 1,750 staff have volunteered their support in just 48 hours.

‘More people than ever need help’

Emma Revie, chief executive at the Trussell Trust, said: “Being able to deliver food bank parcels to people’s homes will really help us ensure everyone’s safety - but it’s a big change to the way food banks normally work.

“That’s why it’s so important to have the support of Scottish Gas.

“Everyone should be able to afford their own food and we’ll be continuing our work to end the need for food banks, but right now more people than ever are likely to need a food bank’s help.

“We’re so grateful to Scottish Gas for their support.”

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Scottish Gas engineers to deliver food to for struggling families