Poverty project is food for thought
A Whitlawburn project that provides healthy food is set to benefit from government funding.
And a Castlemilk initiative aimed at helping battle food poverty was last week praised for their“fantastic work”by the Scottish Government’s Communities secretary.
Angela Constance MSP announced that 16 Scottish projects would share £350,000 from the Fair Food Fund while visiting Castlemilk Parish Church, who have been running a community meals programme, aided by the fund, since last September.
One of the projects listed as being lined up for funding is the Whitlawburn Community and Resource Centre, whose food co-op sells fruit and veg at affordable prices in a bid to address food poverty.
Stephanie McPeake, community development coordinator at the centre,aid:“It hasn’t been completely confirmed to us yet, but if we were successful (with the funding), it would help us support the food co-operative, which has been here in various forms for years and supplies fresh food and vegetables.
“It would help us support that with extra workers and it would let us promote the service a bit more.
“At the moment it’s got a dedicated group of volunteers and serves about 40 people.
“It’s an accessible way of getting healthy food, and that is so important.”
Castlemilk Parish Church hold community meals twice a month, gathering locals together.
The church’s deacon, Paul Cathcart, said: “There was a really good buzz about the church for the visit ,and it was really encouraging that she seemed to engage with people and seemed to enjoy the visit.
“Some of the comments were affirming that a project like this was making a difference among the community.”
Paul believes that the project has grown stronger over the past few months.
He added:“One of the pleasing things is that folk are now onboard who are employed, and they’re coming up with themed nights like an Italian night, or a Chinese night, or the Burns supper that we’re doing this week.
“In terms of food poverty, we’re thinking about saving money, and letting people donate their time to see the value of good nutritious food.
“People also enjoy that setting and having the chance to chat.
“It’s creating conversation.”