Big-hearted Jackie dishes up a feast
A city centre soup kitchen set up to feed those in need over the festive season could be made permanent because of high demand.
The Stirling Christmas Cheer project was established at the weekend in Murray Place.
Hungry and vulnerable people were standing waiting when the service opened – one man told volunteers he hadn’t eaten for four days.
Volunteers gave out free hot soup, tea and a mincemeat pie to people who are lonely, unemployed or homeless with the help of other groups across the area.
The demand has been such that the project founders are considering creating a more permanent organisation to help those in need.
Spokesperson Pauline Thomson said: “We were unsure if there would be a demand for this project, but there were people waiting for us setting up on Saturday night, so quite clearly word had got around.
“Overall, we had a very successful first two nights. We served an average of 25 to 30 people, mostly males aged between 30 and 55, but there were some females too.
“One person told us he hadn’t eaten in four days, which is deeply worrying.
“Some people just came along for a cup of tea and a blether because they just wanted someone to talk to. Social isolation and loneliness were a common theme when speaking to people.
“We have also given out lots of warm clothing which has been donated to us.”
The project has been inundated with people offering to volunteer – so much so that they have had to put together a rota as they can’t accommodate everyone at the same time.
There were eight volunteers on Saturday and Sunday, some serving tea and soup and others enforcing social distancing.
“What we have pulled off in such a short space is remarkable,” said Pauline. “A real team and community effort.
“For example, Cambusbarron-based caterer and butcher Michael More has donated the soup, Bannockburn Rugby Club players are doing a truly brilliant job setting up gazebos, and our tables and are using a brand-new van loaned to us by FES to store and transport.
“We have had many kind donations of food. The Kitchen at 44 donates bread every day and Dr Mcleod from Stirling Community Hospital dropped by and donated mincemeat tarts and shortbread.
A Stirling cafe owner gave up her Christmas Day to bring some festive cheer to people in her community.
Jac’s Snacks on Weaver Row in St Ninians delivered Christmas lunch to locals on their own this Christmas.
The idea was the brainchild of owner Jackie Stewart who has enlisted the help of others to deliver the meals.
Lots of individuals and community groups like the Ladies of the Rock and the Stirling Observer have handed in donations.”
Pauline added that while the project was intended to run until January 6, the response has given them food for thought.
“We have discussed the possibility of establishing a new social enterprise in Stirling to continue this work as we have witnessed some extremely vulnerable people who told us that they feel that society has discarded them because of the challenges they face every day with alcohol and drug issues.
“We are looking at suitable premises to establish this and may use a crowdfunding appeal to get it up and running once the social enterprise has been formally established and constituted.
“Our social media posts have been widely shared, some posts reaching 57,000 people as of Monday, and the kind messages of support have proven to us that there is widespread support for a more permanent project like this in Stirling.”
The volunteers are in Murray Place every night between 6 and 8pm - including Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.
Saturday employee Ayanna Cullen got in touch with the Observer to say: “Jackie has a heart of gold and it would be wonderful for her to get some recognition for what she’s doing.”
Jackie said:“my son John initially thought of the idea last year but we did not have the facilities to do this.
“With recently opening my own business, we decided this would be a perfect opportunity to give out cooked meals on Christmas Day to anyone who would benefit. This year has been tough for everyone.
“We just want to help in any way possible to put smiles on people’s faces this Christmas.
“I also wanted to give something back to my local community who have supported me massively on the opening of Jac’s Snacks.”
Among those helping with delivery and cooking are John Stewart, Evan Patterson, Hugh Riley, Paul Robertson,
Carol Sandilands and Evelyn Sandilands.
Leo Munro from the PMS Celtic supporters bus has donated shortbread and teabags, local butcher Colin Nicol has donated pigs in blankets and stuffing, and there have also been donations from Tesco Stirling, Elaine Hunter at Waitrose Stirling, Francis Monaghan FM property services and Brick Block Paving.