Guild’s talk is food for thought

SOME of the rumours surrounding food bank use were dispelled at Kilcalmonell Guild’s first afternoon meeting.

Kintyre Food Bank’s chairman Maryanne Stewart and treasurer Christine Jardine travelled to Clachan recently to give the guild members a crash course on the charity’s work.

They explained that the food bank clients have to be referred by a doctor, social worker, or one of 24 other agencies, and there has been a 71 per cent increase in the use of the food bank since last year.

They also told the group that the main reasons people need help are a delay in benefit payments and variable low incomes in situations where zero hours contracts exist.

Sudden crises such as redundancy, homelessness, illness or domestic abuse can also leave people in a very vulnerable position, especially if there are children to support.

A guild spokesperson said: ‘They managed to dispel some of the myths and negative rumours that have surrounded their selfless work in providing food for very needy people.

‘We were given lists of what is typically in a food parcel, and that will help us in deciding what to put in the boxes at local supermarkets.

‘Christine and Maryanne were thanked for clarifying this for us and congratulated for providing such a necessary service as volunteers.

‘They would appreciate anyone with a little spare time offering to help them with this work.’