City foodbank seeks help as need still high

A DUNDEE foodbank i s appealing for an “extra pair of hands” as it continues to experience an unusually busy year.

Humanitarian project Taught By Muhammad is asking for help after a post Christmas slump in referrals failed to materialise.

The charity regularly experiences a high level of referrals during winter months, but usually sees referrals decrease as the temperature increases.

This year, however, a consistently large number of referrals has put volunteers and staff under the cosh.

Last month, 188 parcels were handed out by the charity. Of these, 127 were for adults, 34 were for children and 27 were for pets.

Demand in May has continued in a similar vein.

The “really busy” period has surprised staff and volunteers.

According t o charity operations manager Rizwan Rafik, the current situation is abnormal.

Rizwan said: “This isn’t normal for this time of year. Things tend to quieten down and then pick up again in winter, so, no, this isn’t normal.

“We could do with an extra pair of hands on both sides, preparing parcels and driving to deliver them. There’s always stuff to do.

“A six or seven-pound food parcel can be a lifesaver for some people.

“It’s not nice to see how people are living sometimes. You think: ‘How can this be? How can people be in this situation?’

“But it’s about everyone coming together and working together to help.”

Taught By Muhammad is looking for drivers to help deliver food parcels around Dundee. Anyone wishing to help prepare parcels is also encouraged to get in touch.

To find out more email admin@yyi.org.uk or call 07871 040642.

Figures released by the Trussell Trust show there were almost 10,000 referrals for emergency food packages in Dundee last year.