FOODBANK AT CRISIS POINT
Lifeline service could close as supplies run low
ONE of Scotland’s busiest foodbanks is at risk of closure after Christmas due to overwhelming demand.
Just four years after it opened its doors, Glasgow SW Foodbank could be forced to shut, leaving a gap in the provision in the Greater Govan area.
The foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust, is now in need of desperate support.
ONE of Scotland’s busiest foodbanks is at risk of closure after Christmas due to overwhelming demand.
Just four years after it opened its doors, Glasgow SW Foodbank could be forced to shut, leaving a gap in provision in the Greater Govan area.
In 2016/17 the foodbank reached the milestone of feeding 5000 people in late February.
This year, it has been reached by the end of October.
And the foodbank, part of the Trussell Trust, is now in desperate need of support.
Nick Hopkins, chairman of Glasgow SW Foodbank, said: “There is no greater indignity than not being able to put food on the table, and we are an organisation that always treats people coming to us with compassion and respect, and that does not judge.
“We don’t want to be here for ever, but we do want to be here until the numbers of people in food crisis can be reduced, and better ways found of supporting them. At the moment, things appear to be going in the opposite direction.”
Since April 1, Glasgow SW has provided 5080 individual food packages – 3197 to adults, 1883 to children.
If volunteers can find a way to keep the foodbank going, by March it is predicted it will have fed almost 9200, as demand increases over the Christmas period and winter.
The numbers show a 56 per cent increase on the previous year due to increasing issues with benefit delays and benefit changes.
Each month Glasgow SW has to find between £2500 and £3500 to buy the food that clients need, supplementing the packets, tins and bags it gets given directly.
The charity is currently exploring ways of increasing food donations with the city’s other foodbanks and the Trussell Trust, and is in discussions with Glasgow City Council about short term funding for its project worker. It is also asking local people, organisations and businesses for their help as Christmas approaches.
Nick added: “Local people, organisations, churches and businesses are hugely generous with donations of food and money, but even these efforts can’t keep pace with this new and unprecedented level of demand.
“We need the Scottish Government and the City Council to consider how we, and other foodbanks, can be sustainably supported in the longer term.
“The Scottish Government has shifted its focus away from foodbanks’ work. We believe that should be rethought.”
Donations can be handed in at: Ibrox Parish Church on Mondays from noon until 2pm; Mosspark Baptist Church on Wednesdays from noon to 2pm; Hillington Park church on Fridays from 10am to 1pm. Donations can also be given at www.justgiving.com/ glasgow-sw-foodbank
Nick said: “If we get the help we need from the public and politicians in the run up to Christmas, we can still be here into the New Year and beyond for the people relying on us. We don’t want to let them down.”