Cash boost for Airdrie foodbank

Airdrie foodbank is to receive a grant of hundreds of pounds from the Covid-19 support fund set up by the Leeds Building Society Foundation.

It will use the funding to buy personal protective equipment for volunteers, as well as diesel and food to boost their stocks.

The local charity is among 44 organisations across the UK which are sharing combined funding of £42,775 to assist with projects which are providing vital assistance during the coronavirus pandemic.

Providing grants for “practical items that directly support those in need”, the foundation had expanded the application criteria for its latest funding round to allow small charities could apply for help with running costs or extra spending as they deal with the impact of coronavirus .

Trustee Gary Brook said: “Many of these charities are the lifeblood of their communities and are facing extra costs or seeing their funding fall at a time when demand for many of their services is increasing.

“We wanted to act quickly to ensure charities have the help they need at such a challenging time, whether that’s buying equipment or helping with staffing and running costs – supporting initiatives in communities is important to our members.”

Airdrie foodbank volunteers told the Advertiser in May how they had quickly seen demand for support increase by nearly 50 per cent soon after the initial coronavirus lockdown took effect.

Referrals rocketed in the month from mid-March compared to the preceding four weeks, particularly to feed children; while foodbank network the Trussell Trust reported a “soaring 81 per cent increase” in requirements for emergency food parcels in the same period compared to the previous year.

The foodbank’s Facebook page noted: “Demand for our service in the last two weeks of March and first two weeks of April was up by 47 per cent compared to the previous four weeks.

“More worrying, there’s been an 80 per cent increase in the number of children fed in the early stages of lockdown as families struggle to provide food [and] demand has continued to climb.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has supported us, including local businesses, churches and individuals who have generously contributed to allow us to help those in need, especially at this time.”