Organisers of a food drive which handed over hundreds of essentials to families over the last two years are hoping to do it all again.
Graham and Lyndsey Welsh have organised Graham’s Food Drive since 2019 and last year helped almost 500 families.
With the help of Jen and Scott Sloan, of The Cave Bar in Paisley, they have been left overwhelmed by the generosity of people in Renfrewshire.
This year they’re are asking people to hand in store cupboard essentials as well as Christmas treats to The Cave or to their dedicated unit in the Paisley Centre.
And on the weekend of December 18 and 19 they’ll open the doors of their unit in the Paisley Centre for people to come along and help themselves to whatever they need.
Graham, 40, said: “Last year The Cave was closed but Jen said we could use it as storage. This year Jen’s helping out again even thought she’s back open.
“I’m always going to panic about not having enough but we’ve managed it the last two years.
“We want to be able to help as many people as we can. We almost don’t want to help as many people because we don’t want people to need the help, but they do.
“It’s very eye-opening. There are people working full-time who are struggling to make ends meet. The pandemic has totally changed things.
“We want to help as many people as possible but understand that we all have our own struggles this year, we don’t expect anyone to go and spend a fortune in the shops.”
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Graham and Lyndsey welcomed Paisley and Renfrewshire South MSP Mhairi Black to their unit in the Paisley Centre where they were getting organised with collections.
She said: “It was a pleasure to meet with Graham and Lyndsey to hear about the Christmas Food Drive. This is a fantastic effort by two local people who truly care about the community that they live in.
“Nobody should have to go hungry in Renfrewshire this Christmas and the work that is being done here will help to combat this.
“If you can, then please assist the Christmas Food Drive, all donations are appreciated.”
Graham organised the first food drive in Pro-Life gym, where he’s a member. It grew too big for the space and he moved it to The Cave last year and this year has a dedicated unit in the Paisley Centre across from the Card Factory, off the High Street entrance.
They’re looking for tins, packet spice/recipe mixes, pasta, rice, noodles and lentils and they’d love to be able to hand over festive treats including mince pies, biscuits and selection boxes for children.
Graham said no-one needs proof that they need the food to come along and receive some.
He said: “We are adamant that people can just come along. There’s no doubt there will be people who don’t need it but if they’re taking the time to come along and get it we don’t mind.
“Last year we opened at 9am and at 8am there was a queue around the block so there were people there definitely needing it.”
Any food leftover from the collection weekend will be donated to the Darkwood Crew community group which will distribute it around families in need in Ferguslie Park.
Anyone with food to donate can do so at The Cave on 38 New Street or in Unit 22 of The Paisley Centre. Go to www.facebook.com/graham.fooddrive for more details.
If you have a donation to be collected, phone 07305 993 295.
