Move to warehouse boosts foodbank
A Lanarkshire foodbank has completed its move to a new warehouse after an increase in demand.
Volunteers at the Rutherglen and Cambuslang Foodbank believe the move will be a boost to the service they offer, enabling them to store more food and supplies in an easier fashion.
The group have rented a commercial space for a five year period, after previously being based in a top floor room at St Columbkille’s Church hall, a situation that meant food had to be transported up and down three flights of stairs.
Committee member Ian Robertson admitted that moving to a commercial space might surprise some people.
He told the Reformer: “After literally years of searching with the assistance of the local churches, South Lanarkshire Council, Clyde Gateway and others we concluded that there was no alternative.
“For almost nine years the warehouse was located in a top floor room in St Columbkilles and the foodbank are deeply grateful to the church and the hall staff and volunteers for their many years of support.
“The simple fact is that the foodbank had outgrown the available space with anything up to eight tons of food being stored in a room designed and built as a classroom over 100 years ago.
“All that food had to be carried up and down to the third floor as it was donated and then distributed and this task was in the hands of the largely invisible and least known group of foodbank volunteers – The Lifters.
“Every Friday evening this band of heroes would arrive at St Columbkille’s Church hall to find all the foodbank donations stacked at the foot of the stairs and proceed to carry everything up to the warehouse.”
The foodbank’s distribution points of St Columbkille’s, Cambuslang Baptist Church and West Whitlawburn Community Centre remain unchanged.
Their new location is based in the heart of Rutherglen, although the foodbank have declined to name the exact space in case of making the food and supplies a target for thieves.
Ian also thanked a group of young volunteers from the Cambuslang Football Academy who followed up their fantastic Christmas donation with some much needed muscle power to help move all the items.
He added: “Over the last few months additional storage had been sought from a number of local churches to reduce the stock held in St Columbkille’s and space had been provided in St Anthony’s, Cambuslang Parish Church and West Wardlawhill Church.
“The foodbank committee and volunteers are very grateful to them for that support as these spaces too had to be combined and moved to the new store.
“The new premises provide a step-free environment with a secure loading bay with 24-hour access – should it be needed. There is a rest area and toilets for volunteers and plenty of space to expand.”
Heather Buchan, chairwoman of the Foodbank Committee added: “Well done to all involved in the warehouse move.”