Christina Logan is pictured with Charlie McDonald, convenor for Unite the Union West Dumbartonshire Council branch, recieving a cheque for £500 for the foodbank in Alexandria.

Christina set up the foodbank herself after working as a foster carer for years. She said: “I woke up crying the day after the referendum, and thought ‘I have to do something, or it’s not going to get better.’ I posted a few things online, looked for premises, and we were up and running by September 22, 2014.” The mum-of-six told the Reporter that the foodbank is getting busier each week.

Christina added: “Being a foster carer I saw so much poverty. The time came to do something about it. There is a foodbank in Renton on Thursday, but I found that people were walking from Balloch, and needed something closer, one a week is not enough. There is so much poverty in the area and it’s people you would never think of.

“It’s such a mix of people. To be honest, I thought we would get a lot of young people, but we have pensioners and people in their fifties. You’d have no idea how poor they are by looking at them. Everybody struggles – people of all ages.” The foodbank is open every Tuesday from 10am to 12am in St Mungo’s Church and relies on the generosity of the community.

Chirstina said: “We were very busy at Christmas, doing lots of home deliveries, on Christmas Eve I got a message that someone had no presents, no food for their kids. Everyone rallied round, and donated toys and food so these kids could have a Christmas. The people from the area have been fantastic.” Christina hit out at politicians who she said have ‘failed’ the area. She said: “I have people coming to me who don’t even have the electric to boil a kettle for a Pot Noodle. It’s an election year, and I’d love either Gemma Doyle or Jackie Baillie to come to my door.” Charlie added: “Unite is happy to support the Lomond Foodbank to help people who, for what-ever reason, are struggling in our community. It is heartbreaking and a disgrace that these facilities need to be setup, I hope that the good people of the Vale get behind the Lomond Foodbank.” Christina has also asked that when donating, consider giving a small cash donation so the foodbank can buy fresh fruit and vegetables to give out on the day.

The food bank is open at St Mungo’s Church Hall in Alexandria, every Tuesday from 10am to 12am.