Foodshare to double warehouse space with new council funding

A total of £25,000 each year for the next four years was committed to the charity in West Dunbartonshire Council’s budget earlier this year.

Now the foodbank has confirmed more than £16,000 of that will go to doubling warehouse space, with the rest going to cover operating costs as demand continues to grow.

Hundreds of young people have already benefited from their summer brunch packs in recent weeks, with 150 families referred to the charity’s annual uniform bank.

And they are also preparing to launch a baby bank to cater to even more residents struggling to make ends meet.

Trustee Clair Coyle said as they do more projects to help the community, they have outgrown their warehouse space in Dumbarton.

They’ll now add more than 22,000sqft with an adjacent unit, rented from the council, in the coming weeks.

Clair said: “We really do need that space. It’s been a big relief because we are not having to look for so much each year to run the charity.

“We are in a position now where we need a charity manager and we can now do funding applications for salaries.”

The charity has three part-time staff but their funding runs out at the end of September and they otherwise rely on 90 committed volunteers.

The brunch packs have been funded with help from Cash For Kids, the council’s holiday hunger fund and Asda. There were 90 youngsters who got the packs the first week, then 120 and 110 just last week. The programme runs for seven weeks.

Clair said they were much busier than last summer.

The foodshare and charity Food 4 Thought were both granted £25k a year in the 2019/20 council budget.

SNP Councillor Ian Dickson said: “I’m happy that we’ve been able to make this significant, long-term financial commitment from the council to help sustain these important services.

“WD Community Foodshare and Food 4 Thought have committed teams of staff and volunteers who do a first rate job helping local people. We shouldn’t need foodbanks, but while the need exists it’s important that we support them and the good work they do in our communities.”

Labour Councillor David McBride said: “While it’s appalling the need and demand for the services of Foodshare continues to grow, I am very grateful for the work of the volunteers who work so hard to supply a real safety net in our community.

“I am aware this a particularly busy period during the school holidays when free school meals are not available for many children.

“To help meet that community need I welcome the £25k funding from the council which will allow them to expand the warehouse storage and continue to assist those who rely on Foodshare.”

Clair thanked the public for their help last month as shelves ran empty and they made an appeal for donations.

Recent donation drives have come from Balloch Brigada at Fenton’s Bar, while funds raised by Dumbarton Harps Football tournament went to buy factor 50 sun cream for the brunch bags.

Clair added: “The additional space allows us to plan ahead a little bit and make up parcels in advance. It helps get things ready.”

If you’d like to help by donating food, uniforms or funds, visit the foodshare’s Facebook page for details.