FOOD bank volunteers in Helensburgh and Rosneath have hailed the “astonishing level of support” from the community during the busiest month on record for the service.

The Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank, which operates at the Helensburgh Community Hub in East Princes Street, formerly the Red Cross hall, and at the Howie Pavilion in Rosneath, has had to adapt its offering as it copes with increased demand during the pandemic.

Lockdown restrictions have forced a redesign of the drop-in service but there has been no let up in the number of clients needing help during tough economic times, as December 2020 recorded the most emergency food bags distributed in a single month since the organisation began six years ago.

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Topping the previous high posted in December 2019, a total of 245 parcels containing one week’s worth of supplies were handed out last month, in addition to 140 special festive food bags featuring a full Christmas dinner and a full New Year’s Day lunch.

Two-hundred food bags were collected by service users during November, while a £20 ‘winter fuel allowance’ was given out to everyone who picked up a festive food bag in recognition of the fact that “many must choose between heating or eating”.

The food bank’s chair, Mary McGinley, said: “We must operate with fewer volunteers to reduce the risk of transmission of Covid and are grateful to the small team of volunteers who have worked so willingly to make sure that no one in our community needs to go hungry during these troubled times.

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“We would like to thank all those who have supported the food bank to allow us to be there for all those who come to us.

“Thanks to the generosity of the local community, we have sufficient non-perishable food items in stock to keep us going for the next few months.

“We have been astonished at the level of support in both food and cash donations.”

In this week's Advertiser we report on the fund-raising efforts of a Cardross Primary School pupil who ran a mile a day throughout December to donate more than £600 to the food bank.

Cash and food donations have also been received from HMNB Clyde, local supermarkets and retailers and other community members - and Mary said that that ongoing support has never been more appreciated as many face up to a difficult future.

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“The increased cost of both fuel and food during winter presents a real challenge for those on low incomes and those who rely on benefits to feed themselves and their families,” she continued.

“This is especially the case when students, school children and parents are working from home when additional fuel costs result from more hours of heating and lighting being required.

“We urge anyone who finds themselves short of food or short of money to buy food to come to the food bank. We have plenty of food available for all who attend.”

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Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank is part of the Argyll and Bute Community Food Forum and is offering access to a welfare rights and energy advisor to help those in need of financial assistance. The facility also acts as a signposting service to other organisations.

Members say they are anticipating an increase in demand for emergency supplies in the coming months and they are encouraging anyone to get in touch if and when they require help.

The current give and go service is open at the Helensburgh Community Hub on a Monday and Friday from 10am to 12 noon, and on a Thursday evening from 6-8pm; and at the Howie Pavillion in Rosneath on a Wednesday from 1pm-3pm.

For more details visit helensburghlomondfoodbank.org.

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