Foodbank in urgent plea for new base

HUNDREDS of people could be left without basic necessities as a city foodbank faces being made homeless within weeks.

Taught by Muhammad, which has experienced unprecedented demand during the pandemic, has been desperately trying to find a new home as its current leased premises nears being sold.

With a removal date of March 31, the Dunsinane Avenue charity is appealing for help from the public so it can continue delivering food to people.

It is part of the Yusuf Youth Initiative (YYI), which runs several other community outreach projects, which are also now in jeopardy. YYI chief executive Faisal Hussein said the situation is worrying for staff, volunteers and those who desperately need its services.

He is appealing for help from any businesses or individuals who can offer even a temporary home.

He said: “Many people will no longer receive our foodbank parcels if we end up in the worst-case scenario without somewhere to operate from. People will not be able to feed themselves.

“We’re a charity that is otherwise quite strong and we don’t ask for donations. It’s just the space that’s the problem.

“If anyone has a building which we can use, please get in touch with us.”

The warehouse, formerly a factory owned by clothing brand Levi’s, also housed church groups, small-scale businesses and community groups.

The majority of them have already packed up and left. Taught by Muhammad is currently sending out about 100 parcels per week to people in emergency situations or struggling financially.

Since Covid-19 crippled the UK, about 6,000 individual parcels have been dropped off by volunteers at homes throughout the city. The charity would normally deliver half that number in a year.

Many of these people are referred to them by Dundee City Council. They include those who have lost jobs due to lockdown measures and people in debt.

Mr Hussein said the charity is filling in where the welfare system fails.

He said: “There is an immediate need and if that is not fulfilled then it could jeopardise services across the city.

“Charities are actually doing the work the local authorities and government should be doing. We should not be giving out food parcels. Welfare support isn’t a charity’s job.

“I’m not asking for thousands of pounds – just a building. Under the current arrangement, we don’t pay any rent and that enables us to help many more people.

“We have another small building at

Bellfield Street, which is basically a cupboard, and we pay rent for that.

“We can’t afford to pay commercial rates on two buildings though.

“I believe if there was enough will from the council, a space would be found.”

A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “Taught by Muhammad are an important part of the city-wide network of projects providing emergency food to communities.

“The council is aware of the current circumstances and is in regular contact with the project to discuss property and service delivery requirements to ensure it can continue to contribute to the work co-ordinated by the independent Dundee Food Insecurity Network.”