That’s a wrap... as centre donate to foodbank

Hamilton’s Regent Shopping Centre were delighted to gift Hamilton District Foodbank with a generous donation this week.

Thanks to a successful festive fundraiser, they were able to present the foodbank with more than £1200.

Over the Christmas period, staff at the centre decided to offer a ‘festive wrapping service’ to raise money for the foodbank.

The wrapping service was free, but the team asked members of the public to make a donation to the foodbank in exchange for wrapping their gifts.

From December 15 to 24, hundreds of shoppers used the service and helped the Regent Centre raise £1270.

Centre manager Bill Reid said they were overwhelmed by the amount of donations.

He said: “We decided to do the gift wrapping in December and couldn’t believe the response it had.

“We initially thought it would only be a few hundred quid, but to hit over a thousand was really amazing .

“We have been overwhelmed by our shoppers’ generosity.

“It is a fantastic amount . We cannot thank our customers enough for their generosity, especially at this time of year. It is really appreciated.”

Foodbank treasurer Gillan Roy went along to the centre to receive the cash.

She was delighted at the donation and said: “Hamilton District Foodbank would like to thank Bill Reid of the Regent Shopping Centre and all of the generous volunteers and donors for the amazing sum of £1270 which was raised in the festive wrapping fundraising event.

“This amount of money will be able to feed around 120 people for two weeks and without the continued generosity, the foodbank would not be able to continue.

“Over the festive period, the foodbank was able to provide assistance to many adults and children, not only with food parcels but also with the toy appeal and Christmas gifts for families.”

Hamilton District Foodbank has been providing emergency food and support to local people since December 2013.

With running costs of around £5000 a year, the foodbank relies on donations to enable them to continue their work.

Costs include warehouse and distribution space to sort and stock donated food, and other overheads such as utilities and insurances.

The foodbank is currently in need of items such as UHT milk; sugar; diluting juice; tinned fruit, rice pudding/ custard, tomatoes, fish and vegetables; rice; tea and coffee; biscuits, chocolate and toiletries.

Donations can be dropped off at the foodbank’s base at 20 Townhead Street, the Nazarene Hall in Blantyre and the Salvation Army centre on Burnblea Street.

Distribution centre opening times: The Nazarene Hall, Elm Street, Blantyre, Tuesday and Thursday, 11am till 2pm; 22 Townhead Street, Hamilton, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, noon till 2pm; and The Salvation Army, Burnblea Street, Hamilton, Monday, 11am till 2pm.

Call the foodbank on 07884 451512 or email info@hamiltondistrict. foodbank.org.uk.