Foodbank is braced for surge in demand

Stirling’s independent foodbank, run by charity Start Up Stirling, is bracing itself for a surge in demand as the Government’s furlough scheme draws to a close.

Start Up Stirling experienced a large rise people using the foodbank in recent months with as much as a 93 per cent rise in May as the crisis continued.

Figures from Start Up Stirling show that in March 533 individuals (adults and childen) were referred to the foodbank compared to 322 in March 2019 (a year-on-year increase of 66 per cent).

In April it increased to 556 individuals compared to 354 in April 2019 (an increase of 57 per cent) and 489 in May compared to 254 in May 2019 (an increase of 93 per cent).

By June the figure had gone down to 327 compared to 258 the previous year (an increase of 27 per cent).

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough) is set to come to a close in October.

Start Up Stirling convener Anthony Birch said last week: “We did experience a marked rise in referrals to foodbank early in lockdown, but recently that has subsided, so the rate is now running only a bit ahead of this time last year. There was an initial rush, but it has trailed off a bit now.

“Insofar as any of us can read the future though, we remain concerned that we are going to see increasing need as furloughing is scaled back and businesses that have staggered on to the present continue to fail.

“The economic fallout from coronavirus is likely to be great – and much more strongly felt by those already on the margins.”

Stirling’s MP Alyn Smith and MSP Bruce Crawford this week urged the public to donate what they can to support Start Up Stirling.

Mr Crawford said: “Stirling has shown remarkable solidarity throughout this health crisis, and the work of charities and food banks remains crucial if we’re to tackle the social and economic impacts of coronavirus.”

Mr Smith added: “Charities such as Start Up Stirling are doing a power of work to keep people fed and supported through one of the worst health emergencies of our generation.”

Mr Birch pointed out that £130,000 had been received by Start Up Stirling since March comprising personal donations and grants like the Stirling Council Food Fund.

He estimated that 19 tonnes of donated food had been distributed across Stirling district in recent months including 2200 food parcel deliveries.

Mr Birch added: “Through all this though we are heartened and grateful at the continuing generosity of local people and organisations and the support we have received from them, from Stirling Council, the Scottish Government and the Martin Lewis Trust among others. We are extremely grateful to those who have been stepping up to the plate. Start Up Stirling want to acknowledge those who recognise they have more advantages than others and do something with it.”