‘We cannot walk away from this’ Christmas soup kitchen to become Stirling Food for All
A festive soup kitchen in Stirling’s city centre is to continue and expand upon its work in a newlyformed organisation Stirling Food For All.
Stirling Christmas Cheer saw volunteers operate a project in Murray Place over Christmas and New Year.
Volunteers gave out free hot food to people who are lonely, unemployed or homeless with the help of other groups across the area.
The demand was such that the project founders decided to create a more permanent organisation to help those in need.
A spokesperson said: “We started this project with no expectations and have found that it has been gratefully received by those who access the service.
“We cannot walk away. We have therefore decided to continue beyond January 6 to work towards a more permanent service.
“Our new name will be Stirling Food For All. Our long-term ambition is to have premises in Stirling city centre and we hope to offer a number of services, which are outlined in the aims and objectives in our constitution.
“These include assisting in prevention or relief of poverty; promoting equality and diversity; providing relief to those in need by reason of age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage; providing free legal advice on a range of issues; and providing counselling on addictions and mental health wellbeing.
“It is our hope that these will be delivered by specialist volunteers later this year.
The spokesman added: “We would like to sincerely thank all the volunteers who have come forward offering assistance, and all the lovely donations that have been brought to us from local community groups, faith groups, businesses and individuals. We cannot thank you all enough.
“It has been a true community effort working together to raise awareness of homelessness, alcohol and drug dependency, and to those just needing someone to have a blether with due to social isolation.
“On Hogmanay the streets of Stirling were empty and very cold. It’s heartbreaking to think that some people are forgotten, living on the streets. The temperature fell to -3 degrees on Hogmanay with a hard frost on the ground and a flurry of snow.
“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.”