Volunteers and visitors at a Renfrewshire foodbank got a helping hand when Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron visited during Challenge Poverty Week.
Provost Cameron helped bag up food parcels alongside the regular helpers at the Paisley distribution centre in Central Baptist Church on Lady Lane.
Volunteers also joined Provost Cameron by taking a pledge to challenge poverty with one of three Poverty Alliance anti-stigma pledges – attitudes matter, actions change attitudes, and poverty is not inevitable.
Photo: (Left to Right) Foodbank volunteers Meg Sweenie, Maggie Deans, Reena Ioannou, Anne Allen, Sheena Wright, Mary Irons (front), Stephen Green with Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron (third from right) and Elizabeth Alexander, Renfrewshire Foodbank manager (far right).
Foodbanks give emergency food and support to local people in crisis and the Paisley branch is one of four in Renfrewshire set up in partnership with the Trussell Trust and local churches.
Provost Cameron said: “Tackling inequality and the root causes of poverty is a key priority for Renfrewshire Council. Poverty can affect anyone – bereavement, redundancy, a benefit delay or even an unexpected bill can mean people going hungry.
“Challenge Poverty Week is all about talking about poverty and challenging its place in our society. There is plenty of advice out there to help people break down the barriers that they may face. I would encourage people to visit Advice Renfrewshire on advicerenfrewshire.org.
“Renfrewshire Foodbank is not just a place to get food parcels. Staff are trained to provide support and advice so that people can get access to the right support.”
Renfrewshire Foodbank manager, Elizabeth Alexander, said: “No one should have to face going hungry because of their circumstances. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis.
“Renfrewshire Foodbank is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by the Trussell Trust, who are working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.”
To find out more about Renfrewshire Foodbank, visit www.renfrewshire.foodbank.org.
Challenge Poverty Week saw Renfrewshire holding a number of events to challenge poverty and inequality.
Staff in Renfrewshire Council, Renfrewshire’s Health and Social Care Partnership and other partners took part in a social media campaign to challenge poverty by posting their pictures with their pledge of choice on Facebook and Twitter using hashtag #CPW17.
Photo: Elizabeth Alexander, Renfrewshire Foodbank Manager, and Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron take a pledge to challenge poverty
Depute Provost Cathy McEwan visited the Ferguslie cooking class at the Tannahill Centre to make smoothies and took the pledge to challenge poverty.
Advice Renfrewshire held an advice event at Johnstone Town Hall on Thursday 19 October for members of the public to drop in and get advice.
Kids at Families First October clubs also got involved in the week and were treated to a special Glasgow Science Centre science-themed show at St Benedict’s High School.