Thestoriesofsadness

wonderful response from a number of schools who have been collecting and donating as part of Harvest Thanksgiving assemblies.

“I want to thank all those who have donated recently and thank you for your generosity – it really does make a huge difference to the most vulnerable in our community.”

South Lanarkshire Council last week said it was “concerned” to hear about the pressures facing the town’s food banks – and insisted it was doing all it could to support them.

EK Community Food Bank’s Thomas McNeil said: “Since the article, a number of clients have expressed their appreciation that the food bank is speaking up for them. We used the meeting as an opportunity to speak up for those we work with who are, often, voiceless and unheard in our community. The News has over the past month lifted the lid on the challenges facing food banks in East Kilbride. On September 19, we told how the Loaves & Fishes charity had run out of food and was struggling to keep up with demand. The following week, East Kilbride Community Food Bank called for change and revealed the

“The question will be whether the council will hear their voice and act. We will be providing more information to the council and we hope that it doesn’t fall on deaf ears.”

The actions discussed at the meeting included providing a list of available properties for let and potential funding towards the cost of securing new premises for the Loaves & Fishes. A further meeting has been scheduled.

“I said before I’m really dreading Christmas but I sincerely hope I’m wrong,” Mr Curran added. “We were open for two hours on Thursday and had 20 families through the door.

“It’s a shame the government doesn’t have the same attitude as the rest of the community. The government are relying on people’s generosity and goodwill.

“I had a meeting with the council. I was not impressed by what was said average person is just two or three months away from needing to use their services.

And last week we told how South Lanarkshire Council bosses believe they are doing all they can to help battle food poverty in the area.

But as winter approaches, the truth is stark:

Hundreds of people in East Kilbride in 2018 rely on food banks just to survive. but will wait and see.”

Paul Manning, the council’s executive director of finance and corporate resources, said: “The council regarded the recent meeting with Denis and Thomas as productive and mutually beneficial.

“We would be surprised and disappointed if they took a different view as they seemed to recognise that the council is open to listening to the concerns and challenges facing the food banks and is committed to looking at practical steps and support that could make a difference.

“The meeting was just a starting point but a number of actions were discussed. There is a long-term commitment from the council to listening, understanding and offering support where and how we can assist in a bid to tackle pressing social welfare issues facing our communities. We hope to continue with the positive dialogue already established as we move forward.”

The response to our appeal and the East Kilbride News coverage has been unbelievable...