£10,000 is

Foodbank hoping to raise

Stirling’s foodbank is hoping to raise at least £10,000 to help it reach the most vulnerable in the community during the coronavirus crisis.

Start Up Stirling is now running a deliveryonly model to ensure it can get food packages to isolated service users safely.

The charity is trying to raise additional funds to cover food, transport and fuel costs and has received more than £2000 in online donations so far.

A spokesperson for the trustees and staff, Rory Traynor, said: “Start Up Stirling was created to relieve poverty, suffering and distress by providing household goods to the people of Stirlingshire who face hardship, poverty and hunger.

“Every week our foodbank supports around 120 families and individuals experiencing food insecurity. We are now delivering food to all foodbank clients, so that no-one needs to gather together unnecessarily. At present we continue to work on a referral-only basis, our clients all being sent on from other agencies.

“We anticipate that the economic effect of the pandemic will impact rapidly on many people, with many falling into food poverty and needing referral to the foodbank. We are already receiving such new referrals.

“We are working with Stirling Council and other agencies to maintain support and food supplies to those in need in the area despite the difficulties of the present emergency.

“Due to the changes to everyday life and the need for social distancing, we are moving to a purely home delivery service. With that, we expect to see an increase in costs, as well as demand, and we are asking for help.

“‘Donations will help us pay for additional food purchases as well as the extra transport, fuel and drivers required to deliver the packages to our isolated service users.

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