Foodbank helping record numbers
Charity says it supported 3,682 people in 2022
Stirling’s main foodbank charity has helped almost 4000 local people through a tough winter.
Start Up Stirling said for many of those it supports, the past few months have been among the most difficult they’ve ever experienced.
By December 2022 alone, the charity received 1,932 referrals for Crisis Food, supporting 3,682 people, the highest they have ever had.
With spring returning, they are continuing to provide more support, so that people experiencing hardship across the Stirling Council area have a brighter future.
Start Up Stirling wants to help Stirling residents via its Crisis Food Service, as well as community hubs throughout the area by providing a space to socialise, make new friends and have a cup of tea.
They also want to provide a fresh start for people after difficult times in their lives, by providing a home starter pack when someone is entering a new tenancy. This would give them the basics they need to make their new house a home.
Start Up Stirling is now inviting support for their Start Up Stirling In Bloom Spring Campaign in a number of ways, all of which will make a difference to the people that they help, from food donations for their crisis food parcels, providing items for the home starter packs, or food and funds for community hubs across the area.
People can help in the following ways: ❖ By donating food from the charity’s Spring Shopping List at their donation stations across the Stirling Council area for Crisis Food packs. They would also be happy to receive donations at their warehouse, situated at 16B Whitehouse Road, Stirling, FK7 7SP, Tuesday to Friday, from 9am until 3pm. There will be social media posts about the items that are most needed throughout the campaign and on their website.
❖ Donate supermarket gift vouchers, that can be used to provide extra help for their crisis food service users, or to purchase items for Home Starter Packs.
❖ Select a gift or gift voucher from their Amazon ‘Blooming Marvellous’ wish list, which has lots of items that can be used to prepare the Home Starter packs.
❖ Make a financial donation to help to support the services that Start Up Stirling provides and to expand the activities that are available at the community hubs.
❖ Provide a regular monthly donation to help to plan their services, and to provide flexibility to support as many people living in hardship as possible.
❖ Have your own fundraising event with your friends, family or work colleagues. There are lots of different ideas on their website to choose from.
General manager Andrew Ireland said: “2022 was a very difficult year for so many people. Every one of our referrals for the Crisis Food was because of the rise in the cost of living, as many working families and individuals needed more help as their funds no longer stretched to paying their bills and feeding themselves for the month.
“They only come to us as an absolute last resort. We also know that many people are isolated and lonely, and that, combined with the increased cost of living has made this issue even worse. We have two community hubs in Callander and Killin already where we welcome anybody in the community who comes along. They can bring a friend or meet new people - and there is always a cup of tea. Over the coming months we plan to extend this service, as well as increasing the number of activities that we offer.
“Through our Start Up Stirling in Bloom Spring Campaign, we want to help people that are referred to us to face 2023 knowing that we can offer support through our crisis food, home starter pack and community hub services to help to give them food, companionship or a fresh start in their new home.
“Our staff and volunteers are here to help, and this is always done with dignity, respect and confidentiality.“
More information at www. startupstirling.org.uk or to make a donation visit https://startupstirling.org.uk/start-up-stirling-in-bloom or https://tinyurl.com/stirlingbloom. To find out how to help also call the office on 01786 561027, or e-mail: mail@startupstirling.org.uk.