Residents of the Stirling area have rallied to support Start Up Stirling’s Autumn appeal.
The Communities Beyond Covid campaign highlights that despite some of the restrictions being lifted, for many of the people supported by Start Up Stirling, their circumstances have not improved, due to furlough ending, unemployment rising, food and fuel costs increasing.
With the recent announcement that the Universal Credit rate is about to decrease, the charity says its appeal is timely, as referrals for their crisis food service continue to grow compared to the same time last year.
Support from schools and churches via their harvest festivals has helped to provide much-needed staple food items to replenish the stock for the crisis food service. Already they have collectively donated over 977 kgs of food.
However, the need for more food to meet demand has placed an unprecedented strain on stock levels.
For the first time ever, the charity is having to buy staple foods like baked beans, in order to keep up with demand, rather than being able to rely solely on donations.
The crisis food service supports over 400 people each week, and the support is provided at two foodbanks in the city and a rural delivery service.
The volunteers at Start Up Stirling prepare, pack and provide the service, providing support and a listening ear.
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Coordinator Julie Christie said: “Food is only part of the service that is provided, as many people are then referred onto other organisations who can help with issues such as debt or fuel advice.”
The Communities Beyond Covid Appeal ends on Sunday, October 17, when the Wallace Monument and Stirling Castle will be bathed in Start Up Stirling purple, to mark the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, to highlight the need for support for people living in hardship, not just in Stirling, but across the world.
You can support the Communities Beyond Covid appeal, to replenish their stock of essential food and continue to provide families in crisis with nutritious food by:
- Donating food at one of the donation stations, situated throughout the Stirling Council area. There is an autumn shopping list of items they especially need at: https://startupstirling.org.uk/news/2021/autumn-shopping-list
- Donating funds via their website to provide tinned, dried or fresh food and fuel to keep our delivery vans on the road. There is also a tap to donate machine for donations located in the King’s Mall at The Thistles shopping centre. https://startupstirling.org.uk/donate
- Fundraising - organise a bake sale, a sponsored silence with work colleagues or raffle and donate the funds raised to Start Up Stirling.
- Become a corporate partner; making a financial gift, purchasing the items needed or donating gifts in kind.
- Tell friends on Facebook (startup.stirling) and Twitter (@stirlingstartup) about the “Communities Beyond Covid” Appeal and follow them on social media.
For more on the appeal contact Start Up Stirling by telephone on 01785 561027 or via e-mail at mail@startupstirling.org.uk, or visit the website https://startupstirling.org.uk.
