Festive plea from foodbank
Foodbank charity Start Up Stirling wants people to help them feed a family this Christmas by raising £45,000.
The charity is hoping it will be their most successful Christmas campaign since they began in 1994, helping homeless people and those in hardship.
Around 300 people receive goods from the foodbank every week around Stirlingshire, with the number continuing to grow, particularly in the rural areas.
Christmas and the January aftermath is one of its busiest times of the year and the team is getting set for the rush.
As well as food and household items, donations of cash are also essential to help plan ahead and to provide fresh items.
Project administrator Jamie Gillespie said: “Financial donations are vital to the continued success of Start Up Stirling and the ongoing assistance we provide to local families.
“Donation vouchers are available as an alternative to giving a Christmas present or card to your loved ones.
“We are also encouraging local businesses and workplaces to support us with a Christmas jumper dress-down day as an alternative to secret Santa in the office.”
The Start Up Stirling unit at 16B Whitehouse Road is open to receive donations from Monday to Friday.
There are also donation stations across Stirlingshire, listed at https://startupstirling.org.uk/news/2018/ where-to-donate.
Donation vouchers can also be purchased from Brea Scottish Restaurant, 5 Baker Street, Stirling, online at www.startupstirling.org.uk or at the charity’s unit.
Jamie said: “Hundreds of people in Stirlingshire cannot afford to eat and in winter this becomes more challenging where they have to make a choice between eating and heating.
“Just £15 will fund a foodpack for an individual, £25 a foodpack for a family and £50 will fund a home visit to someone in crisis.
“Just £25 can provide a Christmas dinner and festive food for a local family and £100 can provide a starter pack for a family who have been homeless.”
For more information email christmas@ startupstirling.org.uk.
Start Up Stirling also helps individuals and families starting new tenancies after homelessness with starter packs which provide household essentials and food.
The organisation also plans to move into areas such as financial advice, healthy eating and mental health support.