West Lothian Foodbank has put out an urgent appeal after revealing there has been a 41 per cent surge in demand for the service in the past year.
The call is all the more pressing as they generally receive fewer donations at this time of year.
The foodbank’s general manager, Kathleen Neilly, explained: “Things are running a bit low at the moment with some things but it always quietens down during the summer.
“We are really lucky and blessed, though. Some foodbanks really struggle with donations but people in West Lothian always give very generously when we put out an appeal like this.”
Items they need urgently are: hot chocolate, sugar, tinned cold meat, tinned peas or carrots, tinned sponge puddings and tinned tomatoes.
They have a large quantity of tinned soup, tinned beans and pasta shapes so request that nobody brings these items. They will also gratefully receive any financial contributions.
Food donations can be handed into any one of the 10 foodbank distribution centres throughout West Lothian or at one of the bigger supermarkets in the area, and larger donations can be collected by arrangement.
The supermarket drop-off points have proved to be bountiful for the foodbank and last year they received 34 tonnes of the food – nearly 50 per cent of all food distributed to local people in crisis.
West Lothian are part of the Trussell Trust and the network say that 90 per cent of their donations come from the general public.
The Trussell Trust have carefully worked with nutritionists to ensure food parcels contains sufficient nutrition for three days worth of healthy, balanced meals.
If you require more information then please contact 07866 155 110 or 01501 229307.
