Volunteers make a soup-er effort to feed those in need
Community team delivers to OAPs and vulnerable
Souper troopers are doing a fantastic job in feeding elderly residents in Erskine.
Volunteers have sprung into action during the Covid-19 crisis to make sure pensioners and vulnerable people in the community are getting regular food parcels, including the twice weekly soup and pudding run, and three weekly deliveries of food parcels.
More than 70 elderly people are being looked after in the amazing effort run by Jacqui Reid, vicechairperson of Erskine Community Council, and Lynn Smith, from Erskine Church of the Nazarene.
Other groups, such as the Star Project, Morrison’s supermarket and Bridgewater Housing Association, are involved in the relief effort – backed by a squadron of kind-hearted volunteers.
Jacqui said: “When we heard just how bad this was going to be, we got in touch with other local services and decided to form a joint task force.
“By working together we can achieve something bigger and help more people who are struggling during the Covid-19 crisis.
“Cur rently we have more than 70 people who are being helped with the deliveries, supported by local charities.
“We deliver the food to their homes five days a week.”
Jacqui has even roped in her husband and temporarily requisitioned the family’s garage as a mustering point to help organise the supplies.
The Tuesday and Thursday soup run, co-ordinated by Lynn Smith from the Church of the Nazarene, involves delivering portions of freshly made soups, freshly baked bread and butter and pudding.
While on Mondays, residents get a meat and veg pack, Wednesdays, a pack containing half their dry goods and Fridays, the rest of their dry goods and a special treat for the weekend, which can be cake.
Jacqui added the logistics involved in preparing and distributing the food is hard work and she warmly thanked all the businesses and volunteers involved.
But crucially she added they are welcoming all the help they can get in gathering and distributing food parcels for the elderly, and she said donations of food and money would be greatly appreciated.
Sh e a l s o t hanked Bridgewater Housing Association for a £ 1,000 donation, of which half has already been spent, and businesses Fresh Direct and the Asparagus Hut for supplying vegetables.
The group has also set up a Just Giving page for people to donate cash.
She added: “I am taking on a more administrative role now in getting as much help as we can.
“But by pulling together we are able to do so much more and I would like to thank everyone involved.”