Pair offering a helping hand
Gerard and Paul launch food bank
Welcome to the latest instalment in the East Kilbride News series Our People. This week Mark Pirie speaks to Gerard Strain and Paul Mullen who are launching a food bank at their East Kilbride printing firm
Two men from an East Kilbride printing company hope to give something back to the community as they launch their food bank.
Gerard Strain and Paul Mullen from Peel Park firm Document Solutions hope to help struggling families in the town.
Gerard, who lives in Hairmyres, was inspired to take on the project after being touched by the film “I, Daniel Blake’ – and Paul stepped forward to help get it off the ground.
He jokes he doesn’t trust many people – but he has faith in Paul and that’s why he asked him to take part.
Manager Gerard hopes to be able to help as many families as possible.
“We have always done charitable work as a business,” he said. “We always try and do something.
“We try to give something back but last year I watched a film called ‘I, Daniel Blake’ and through watching that film it only really then hit home about the extent of the issues.
“You perceive some people to be wealthy but they can’t even afford to feed themselves.
“I was off work last year with an illness last year – and when I’m off I’m not making money.
“I was fortunate that I was able to feed my wife and kids but it’s only when you are in that situation that you think about how fortunate you are.
“I’m talking about people who work and earn a living but still can’t afford to feed themselves.
“That gives you an indication on the state the country is in.
“We are not any kind of great saviours or knights in shining armour but if we can give something back through a genuine act of giving I think it’s something we need to do.”
Paul, who lives in Clydebank, has seen first hand how people can be affected.
He has seen families toil to feed their families and wanted to help in any way he can.
“My kids go to a Sunday club and it’s on for a couple of hours,” he said.
“The guys who runs it charges 50p for the two hours and, compared to what other clubs charge for the same thing, that is absolutely remarkable.
“He doesn’t make any money out of it, he just does it off his own back.
“When the schools are off on holiday he has started to run the club as well because the amount of kids that rely on their school dinner for that one meal a day is huge.
“Normally when I drop the kids off there are between 20 and 30 kids there at the weekend but during the school holidays he can have up to 80 for a meal.
“It’s not a slap-up meal he’s putting out, it’s a roll and bacon or sausage, but it’s the way it is just now.
“He has told me both the parents are working and trying their best but just can’t afford food.
“When Gerry said to me about it then it was a no-brainer for me to get behind it.”
Gerard admits the scale of the project is huge but is more motivated than ever to help out if he can.
“I have got two kids and Paul has two wee kids,” he said. “We don’t know how many other kids we will be able to support by doing this but having the peace of mind that due to what we are doing some families aren’t going hungry and that can get by now gives us a great feeling.”
The duo hope that the food bank will become self-sufficient and are welcoming donations from the public.
Gerard adds: “My hope would be other companies jump on the bandwagon and start doing it.
“Once it’s fully established then more people can get involved.”
Paul continued: “It’s dead easy to sit and think somebody else will do it – but I’ve seen the difference charities can make to people.
“Just knowing they will get through to the next week can take the pressure off families.”