Collection to aid foodbank is a hit as supplies pour in at city station

COMMUTERS joined the fight to feed Glasgow’s hungry with a second mass foodbank collection at Glasgow Central Station.

The station was flooded with donations when Network Rail first organised a drive in response to an appeal from Glasgow City Mission.

The 12-hour collection in March last year attracted support from Glasgow comedian Kevin Bridges and saw ninemonths worth of supplies collected.

Station staff decided to appeal to rail passengers again to help the foodbank feed increasing numbers of people in need across the city.

Volunteers manned a drop-off point in the centre of the station from 7am to 7pm and collected three van-loads of food and toiletries.

One of those who donated was pensioner Stella McLeod who handed over a bag full of toiletries she bought from Boots in the station after spotting the appeal.

The 78-year-old from Hamilton told the Evening Times: “I have donated food in the past but hadn’t thought about the need for toiletries.

“It is awful that people can’t afford the basics.

“I grew up during the war and we didn’t have much but everybody was in the same boat.

“This just shouldn’t be happening in this day and age.”

The collection was organised by station officer Jim Frizzle.

He said: “The last time we held collection we were absolutely overwhelmed and we ended up with seven van-loads of donations.

“We were not expecting as much this time around but it was always our plan to hold another collection for the City Mission.”

He said: “We have been really humbled by the response.”

City Mission volunteers also collected funds in the station yesterday.

Mr Frizzle added: “More than 100,000 pass through Central Station every day so we are in a good position to help.”

More than 100,000 pass through each day so we are in a good position to help