Food shock
Nearly 1,000 kids would have gone hungry
Close to 1,000 children in Rutherglen and Cambuslang have had to rely on supplies from a local food bank over the past financial year.
The shock figures revealed by Rutherglen and Cambuslang Foodbank also showed a total of 3,166 people had to use the facility.
Close to 1,000 children in Rutherglen and Cambuslang have had to rely on supplies from a local food bank over the past year.
The shock figures were revealed by Rutherglen and Cambuslang Foodbank.
They also showed the amount of food parcels being distributed by the food bank has more than doubled in the past year.
Cash donations to the group have also increased, but the vast majority of extra money is now being used on purchasing extra food supplies.
Committee member Ian Robertson said: “One child needing fed is a disaster, never mind a thousand.
“The actual proportion of children (using the food bank) has stayed roughly the same as the previous year, it’s just the overall numbers have gone up over the past year.
“Part of it is that we are almost victims of our own success, because far more people are aware of us now and will come here.
“But there is also the fact that the Department of Work and Pensions are sanctioning more and more people who are having to use the food banks.
“Our bank balance is still healthy, although this will be a concern if the numbers keep going up.
“We will need more donations, because the current donations are going straight out the door to help people.”
The figures showed a total of 3,166 people were fed by the food bank.
There were 406 adults fed in Cambuslang, and 160 children.
In Rutherglen the figures were even worse with 1,419 adults being fed and 713 children.
The facility at Whitlawburn saw 355 adults and 100 children fed.
The group are also currently looking for more volunteers.
Ian added: “We need more volunteers and we desperately need someone to take on the role of a food bank manager.
“That would involve things like co-ordinating the volunteers and the supplies and answering calls and emails - we divide that between committee members at the moment but it would be good if someone could take that over in an official role.”
The figures were revealed at the group’s AGM.
The meeting saw all the food bank’s current committee returned unopposed.
Donations can be handed into St Columbkilles Church Hall between 12.30pm and 2.30pm, Monday to Thursday, West Whitlawburn Community Centre between 6pm and 8pm on Tuesdays and Cambuslang Baptist Church between 12.30pm and 2.30pm on Fridays.
Emergency food parcels can also be collected from these venues at these times.
For more information on the food bank or to enquire about volunteer opportunities visit rutherglencambuslang.foodbank.org.uk or call 07393 737030.