Members of the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank committee emphasised the demand for the service in and around Helensburgh at the launch event on Monday, October 27, with speakers claiming some parents are forced to go hungry to ensure their children are fed.

As revealed in the Advertiser, more than one-in-five children in Helensburgh’s poorest areas are living in poverty — a situation described as ‘unacceptable’ by local MSPs including Stuart McMillan and Jackie Baillie.

It is estimated as many as 40 families in and around the town will need to use the service every month, and the group is keen to dispel the myth that poverty only affected those who were unemployed.

Mary McGinley, the foodbank vice chairwoman, said: “In many cases, the children affected are living with two parents and siblings, and one parent is employed. It frequently affects those on low incomes who fall into debt, and paying the bills or buying food can be a choice they face.” Morevain Martin, chairwoman of the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank, said the project will help anyone who is in a crisis, and although people may be referred from other agencies, those in need will not require a formal referral in order to receive an emergency food parcel – which will provide three days worth of nutritious food.

Ms Martin told the Advertiser: “An individual can just turn-up, within the opening times, and give their name, address, and their reason for visiting. We will also ask them if they have used the service before, and if so we may offer them the chance to speak with an advisor.

“The foodbank will be set-up almost like a coffee shop, and people can come in for a cup of tea and chat, then they go through the back to receive their food parcel to maintain as much dignity as possible.” During an initial information meeting between the foodbank committee and charity the Trussell Trust – which is not directly involved in the independent service – it was estimated the foodbank would receive about 40 families a month that were in food poverty in the area — with the situation set to worsen for many families in winter.

Mary McGinley said most people who use foodbanks have ‘exhausted all other alternatives’, and it was not in place to ‘top-up people’s benefits’.

The move to launch the foodbank began around 11 months ago when Audrey Baird, Argyll and Bute community development officer, was approached by people in the community who said they thought the area required a foodbank.

Ms Baird said: “I had a bit of a job to persuade other people that there was a need for a foodbank in the area, but then Dumbarton Foodbank had already been providing emergency food for people in Helensburgh and Lomond.

“Remember that almost all of us can fall on hard times at any time, and I am relived to know that someone can come her for food, advise, a cup of tea and a chat.” As well as providing food, the service volunteers will be joined by a specialist worker from Carr Gomm, which offers a tenancy support service to prevent homelessness and sustain tenancies. They will be on hand to provide advice and support to visitors to help tackle ‘ongoing problems’.

Amanda Grehan, service manager at Carr Gomm, said she people attend foodbanks for a number of reasons, ranging from debt and financial issues, to relationship breakdowns or the impact of welfare reform.

She said: “Never know who is going to need a foodbank, and things can change for people in such a short space of time.” Ms Grehan said at the start of the year in 2013, up to about 30 people were receiving support locally, however after the welfare reforms were introduced in April of last year, this more than doubled.

The foodbank committee formed its constitution just six weeks ago and – as a testament to the enthusiasm of the committee – since then more than 20 people have signed up to help volunteer, according to Irene Stephenson, volunteer co-ordinator. However, she said more help is needed.

Donations bins have also been set-up in the Co-operative supermarket and at local churches, and the foodbank are in talks with Waitrose to co-ordinate future fundraising campaigns.

Barbie Paterson, secretary, said for people requiring food aid in outlying villages, such as Arrochar, food parcels can been arranged to be transported to those in need in the short term, with a view to setting up satellite foodbanks in the long-term.

The foodbank is open on Mondays and Fridays, 10am to 12noon, at the British Red Cross Hall, 116 East Princes Street, from Monday, November 3.

For those interested in volunteering, or helping, please email helensburghfoodbank@gmail.com.