Recession hits home start-up charity

A VITAL Perth-based charity that helps young families start up home is facing ruin at the hands of the UK’s stumbling economy.

For the past eight years, Starter Packs has been supplying household goods to homeless people throughout Perthshire who are fortunate enough to have been given a council tenancy.

Now, however, the recession is biting hard and the charity is now facing a stock crisis that could spell disaster if help is not forthcoming.

Its wholly volunteers staff fear it could even face closure unless they can attract new donations to help meet an unprecedented demand for their services.

The charity has been hit by a significant decline in donations as people tighten their belts and hold on to furniture and other household items.

That has left stock at an all-time low at however, admitted that without a substantial influx of donations it was unlikely that the charity would be able to continue its good work.

“Demand for our starter packs is amazing right now as the plight of the homeless get worse and worse in the current climate.

“Many of those people we support literally have the four walls they are provided with and nothing else.

“We aim to provide them with the basics and it is a sad fact of life that so many children are among those who need our help.

“Items are still coming in, but it is a trickle compared to what we once received and with demand so high that is a huge concern. There is an on-going need for our services but it is not always easy to meet that.

“We have plans to do a mail-shot, targeting hotels, churches, bed and breakfasts and the like who may have items they can donate.