Food aid for city’s needy stepped up

A COMMUNITY group that fed thousands of Dundonians during the first lockdown is helping out again.

Alexander Community Development (ACD) has vowed to do all it can to ensure no one in the city goes hungry during the latest lockdown.

A group spokesman said that throughout the first lockdown, ACD had adapted quickly to the crisis .

“Moving into 2021, it is now clear the need for those services is still at the same high demand,” he said.

“ACD works closely with Faith in Community and Dundee City Council to service the Food Insecurity Network, ensuring more than £10,000 worth of food is delivered to 27 city projects each week.”

Kara Swankie, the group’s operations manager, said: “Operating in another lockdown, with further austerity on the horizon, we are prepared for the increased pressure on these projects.

“Our team has stepped up to the mark time and time again. I am confident we will be able to serve the projects moving into these worrying times.”

Jacky Close, director of Faith in Community, said: “While we had many projects delivering face-to-face support to individuals and families, there was a serious gap in relation to the overall practical co-ordination of food distribution to the 27 projects.

“ACD developed processes and relationships at breakneck speed and have become an indispensable part of our emergency food arrangements.

“Without them we would not be able to offer city-wide support to people who have been impacted financially by the pandemic.”

The network was established by Faith in Community and Dundee Voluntary Action in early 2020, with the city council initially securing food for 10 weeks.

Food is delivered to 27 projects and fed more than 4,500 people, during the toughest restrictions in 2020.

The ACD spokesman said it is predicting another steep rise in demand for food as the country moves deeper into the latest lockdown.

stored by Alexander Community Development before being distributed around Dundee.