Renfrewshire Council’s Leader has visited Renfrewshire Foodbank’s new warehouse to see how the council’s tackling poverty fund continues to roll out on-the-ground support for families facing hardship.
As part of the recently-approved £6m poverty fund, a £60,000 package will offer funding for the foodbank’s manager post and will also offer support towards its new distribution centre costs.
Renfrewshire Council Leader Councillor Mark Macmillan said: “Renfrewshire foodbank is unfortunately the third busiest in Scotland.
“This isn’t surprising as we know UK Government’s benefit sanctions regime is pushing people to the brink and seriously harming local families.
“The shameful rise in food poverty across the country is something I’m determined to change here in Renfrewshire.
“Our support for Renfrewshire Foodbank is part of a package of measures to help families in crisis, along with the free meals we provide for children who are entitled during school holidays and our new fund to help parents with the cost of the school day.
“I am proud that our £6m poverty fund is already delivering on-the-ground support as we strive to lift families out of hardship with emergency responses while also investing in preventing people falling into poverty.”
Renfrewshire Foodbank’s Manager Elizabeth Alexander, said: “We are delighted to receive the funding from Renfrewshire Council. That along with the generous donations of food by the people of Renfrewshire will enable us to continue to support families in crisis.”
Renfrewshire Council also held a recent collection for Renfrewshire Foodbank that resulted in staff donating a total of 2,783 items.
For more information about the foodbank, visit www.renfrewshire.foodbank.org or call 0141 889 7999.