ExxonMobil helping to fuel charities to deliver food supplies in lockdown

Two valued local charities are being helped to deliver vital food supplies to the homes of the area’s most vulnerable residents thanks to ExxonMobil at Mossmorran.

Kirkcaldy Foodbank and the Cottage Family Centre have each received £500 worth of Esso fuel – giving them thousands of miles of deliveries to help cope with the rise in demand resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic.

The fuel will enable both charities to fill up the tanks of the vehicles used by their volunteers, who collect food donated by local supermarkets and members of the public and take them to delivery points or directly to homes in and around Kirkcaldy.

Jacob McAlister, plant manager for ExxonMobil, said: “With our fuel brand Esso we are proud to support the extraordinary work of both charities. Many of the most vulnerable in our communities are unable to leave home, so the ability to deliver to them is a vital service.”

Joyce Leggate, chairwoman of Kirkcaldy Foodbank, said: “Over the Covid-19 period Kirkcaldy Foodbank has struggled to maintain the stock levels we require due to difficulties particularly around the lack of delivery slots from suppliers.

“This means volunteers, some of whom are not employed, are spending most of the week driving around collecting food from various places using their own cars and fuel, which is admirable, however this generous donation of fuel cards from ExxonMobil at Fife Ethylene Plant will allow us to continue this activity for the foreseeable future and could not have come at a better time.”

The Cottage Family Centre was set up in 1987 to provide a range of support to families and individuals who are vulnerable due to factors such as poverty, unemployment, poor housing, relationship breakdown, drug and alcohol problems and health related issues.

Pauline Buchan, service manager, said: “Demand for our help has more than doubled in recent weeks, particularly for our packed lunches for children. More families in the Kirkcaldy area are finding themselves with no source of income and in dire need of help with food and utility bills.

“With every spare penny going on these costs, fuel costs have been overlooked. These are always an additional expense for our staff and volunteers who deliver our services, so this donation is very welcome indeed.”