Food banks provide lifeline for isolated and poverty-stricken

HUNDREDS of families are getting emergency food delivered to the door as the need for food banks increases through the coronavirus outbreak.

Dumbarton charity Food For Thought, which is based in St Augustine’s Community Hall, has reported an “unprecedented” rise in the number of people relying on its service.

And West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare had to halt their regular service where residents went to them at community centres.

Because most of the charity’s volunteers were elderly, they have gone from 104 helpers to just two.

But even with limited staff and declining food donations, they are managing 200 deliveries a week.

About 50 of those are to homes with shielded or isolated persons.

The food banks reported “a gap in community” for those in self-isolation with no family who can afford to shop but can’t.

To help mitigate this, Food For Thought is working with West Dunbartonshire Council to shop and take payment for those people who can’t get to the supermarket but don’t require emergency food.

Lorraine McLeish, from Food for Thought, told the Reporter: “We’ve never seen anything like it. Fortunately, our charity created an emergency plan in October in the event Brexit caused a food shortage.

“We’ve mobilised that plan and that is what we are running off at the moment.

“We’ve seen a huge increase in demand, so much so that [last] week we fed the amount of people in one day that we usually would in a week.”

Clair Coyle, trustee at the foodshare project, said they have been “absolutely mobbed”.

Many of their regulars who might turn up occasionally at the foodshare have not been in touch, leading the charity to worry if they are getting the supplies they need.

“It’s such a different way of working with very few workers,” Clair told the Reporter.

“There’s still people going to the food bank every week, but we are not there.

“Compared to visitors each week, we are probably doing more deliveries and supporting a lot of new people as well.

READ MORE: Dumbarton's streets lie eerily empty

“More elderly people and people who are isolated are getting in touch and the council is sending us referrals as well.

“Although it’s hard, physical work, it’s the emotional side more than anything. But everybody’s spirits are good. We know this is needed and it keeps us going.”

Lorraine added the charity is having to re-stock on most items nearly every day.

While Clair said there had been a big drop in food donations with fewer visits to food stores and fewer places to donate.

During the Easter break, the foodshare was prepared for the return of their brunch packs programme, supplying youngsters who normally get school meals.

They did 1,100 packs over 2019 and expect 100 a week from now on, aiming to continue the programme as long as schools are off.

Clair added: “We are expecting to be busier once we can get the food banks back open. There’s not going to be a normal again.

“I’m trying not to think too much about it, just living in now and concentrating on that.”

Lorraine added: “Our volunteers are the life-blood of what we are doing just now. Without them we just wouldn’t be servicing the whole of West Dunbartonshire as much as we are at the moment.”

Dumbarton councillor Karen Conaghan praised the work of the charities, saying: “This current situation leaves people vulnerable to a lack of food even when their finances are not the problem.

“I am so proud of how well the council and our community are working together to help everyone who is in need during this crisis. We live in an area where people care about each other and rally round to help when and where they can, and this situation is really proving that more than ever.”