Food bank appeal - ‘Each and every donation is crucial’
THE countdown is on to a special donation drive for the North Ayrshire Foodbank - and we’re asking readers of the Herald to lend a hand.
Next week’s edition, on sale across the area from Wednesday, April 24, will come with a free paper bag inside.
We want readers to take that bag to their local shop and fill it, or fill as much of it as you can afford, with items suitable for the North Ayrshire Foodbank.
You can then hand your bag and its contents in to the Herald’s office in Princes Street in Ardrossan, which is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, or take them straight to the food bank’s base at the Church of the Nazarene in the town’s Glasgow Street.
We spoke last week to North Ayrshire Foodbank organiser Craig Crossthwaite about the ongoing demand for its services, with the cost-of-living crisis and ever-increasing energy bills squeezing household budgets ever more tightly across North Ayrshire.
“Demand has gone up,” he said. “There’s no doubt about it. The cost-of-living crisis and energy crisis is still affecting people.
“While the energy crisis is easing, at its height people got into a lot of debt, which is ongoing.
“Every tin donated is a lifeline to somebody asking for assistance.
“Each and every donation is crucial, and a blessing to somebody.”
The campaign is being backed by sponsorship from Glasgow-based company Colourfence, run by Ian McConnachie, who has family links with the Three Towns.
Craig Borland, deputy group editor of Newsquest’s West Scotland weekly titles, which includes the Herald, said: “Our readers have shown their generosity time and again for a host of good causes across the area and we’re delighted to be giving the North Ayrshire Foodbank a helping hand.
“We know times are tight, but if you’re able to donate whatever items you can afford, I know there will be a family somewhere who are incredibly grateful.”