Foodbank helpers left‘devastated’ at having to close

Bosses at Rutherglen and Cambuslang foodbank have told the Reformer they are“devastated”at having to close the community resource’s doors.

The charity announced at the weekend that it was no longer able to offer a service due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Committee member Ian Robertson called it an “extremely difficult” decision to make.

He said:“It was a terrible decision for us, something that was extremely difficult for us to decide on.

“But we felt that we had to do it for people’s safety.

“More than 50 per cent of the volunteers we have are over 70 and among those at higher risk of the virus.”

He added:“The second problem is that the foodbank itself has a lot of people close together while getting their items. We just can’t take all those risks. If someone got the virus after being here and was seriously ill or died, then none of us would be able to forgive ourselves.

“Closing the foodbank was the sensible thing to do.

However, Mr Robertson is hopeful that the service will resume later in the year and be back to helping those in need.

He added:“We will continue to follow the government advice on this.

“As soon as it is safe to reopen then we will be back offering a service to people that need it.”

Rutherglen and Cambuslang foodbank currently has three bases in the area – St Columbkille’s Hall, Whitlawburn Resource Centre and at Cambuslang Baptist Church.

It has served the area since 2013.