A TRIKE IS NICE ... BUT A VAN WOULD REALLY PUT EAT UP IN THE DRIVING SEAT
Charity needs help in taking fight against hunger up a gear
A charity that uses a trike and trailer to transport food to hungry families across Renfrewshire has launched a public appeal to find a van.
Eat Up collects surplus fresh food from supermarkets and distributes it to Paisley charities in a bid to reduce waste and provide food for hundreds of families who would otherwise go hungry.
Established in July last year, the worthy cause provides food for the Paisley Community Fridge and Cabinet, the Star Project, Foxbar Resource Centre, Barnardos Threads and Tannahill Cafe.
Volunteers work with Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Tesco to distribute foods they can no longer sell, but can still be eaten, and takes in donations from smaller independent shops and restaurants.
But Eat Up supporters are currently using a trike and trailer to collect the food daily from the Renfrewshire-based shops and cycling miles to take it to its next destination.
Tommy Reid, founder of Eat Up, told the Express: “Cycling fits in with our aims to reduce the impact on the environment, but, in terms of getting more food to those in need, a van would be better.
“The idea of getting a van would be to collect food in the mornings from supermarkets and in the evenings from restaurants. It would really enhance what we are able to do.
“We could get more food to the community fridge, the Star Project, Tannahill Centre – we could get more food to all of them.”
Tommy came up with the idea of Eat Up after seeing a similar initiative operating in the Gallowgate area of Glasgow.
The Space runs a community café that uses food from Fareshare to make fresh, home cooked meals for which people pay what they can afford.
Committed to reducing food waste and tackling hunger, it also houses a community shop in which people can get a bag of food for as little as £1.
With Fareshare distributing bulk foods from supermarkets to community groups, Tommy spotted a gap in the market to collect smaller boxes of food from individual Paisley stores on a daily basis and place it in locations where those in need can access it quickly.