Charity could run out of supplies by end of week

Renfrewshire Foodbank has launched an urgent appeal for donations.

The organisation says it could run out of some items by the end of the week if supplies aren’t handed in.

The lack of items is being put down to the huge increase in people using the Paisley facility.

In the year to March, the number of people using the foodbank rose by 1,000 to a massive 7,200.

Foodbank manager Elizabeth Alexander says if numbers keep heading the way they’ve been going, foodbank user figures will soon hit 8,000.

It’s the second time this year the organisation has come close to running out of supplies, after stocks ran dangerously low around April.

Elizabeth said: “It’s not because people aren’t still donating food that we need more, it’s because there’s been a massive increase in people needing parcels.

“It is slower for donations at this time of the year though as people are busy during summer and are away on holidays.”

Urgently required today are soup, tinned fruit, jam and tinned spaghetti, which they have completely run out of.

Also needed are UHT or powdered milk, diluting juice, tinned meat and fish, jars of pasta sauce, biscuits or snack bars and toiletries.

Elizabeth said: “People come to us who haven’t eaten in days and if we are unable to provide them with food, then they will starve — that’s the reality we face.”

The foodbank gives people a threeday supply of food, with the aim of giving items that will allow them to have a balanced diet.

“We give a mix of fruit, meat, vegetables and fish,” Elizabeth told. “It’s tins, but it’s still a balanced diet. “At the moment, we are just about getting by on a day-to-day basis, but if we don’t have more donations we will be out of soup this week.”

Elizabeth said that, by far, the biggest reason people come to the service is because their benefits or salary have been stopped or reduced.

People using Renfrewshire Foodbank aren’t just being given food — they are also given advice on how to improve their situation.

Elizabeth said: “It’s not just about providing people with food, it’s about getting people back on their feet and helping them get the help they need.”

Donations can be made to Renfrewshire Foodbank at unit 12, 80 Abercorn Street, Paisley, Mondays and Fridays, from 10am to noon, and on Thursdays, from 5pm to 7pm.

There are also drop boxes in Tesco Linwood, Tesco Paisley, Morrisons, in Johnstone, and the Co- ops in Houston, Kilbarchan, Bridge of Weir and Bishopton.

People can also make a donation by calling Renfrewshire Foodbank on 0141 889 7999, or emailing manager@ renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk

Elizabeth added: “We are very grateful to the people of Renfrewshire because they are so generous.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has donated as we couldn’t do it without them.”