Glasgow North food bank in 'dire need' for food donations

St Augustine Church in Milton has been giving out donations since 2016 - and thanks to FareShare and support from parishioners they have been helping people in the community through hard times.

Open every Tuesday from 10am until 12pm, the church welcomes anyone in need to come along to help themselves to some food and household essentials, as well as socialise with others in a warm setting.

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Volunteers at St Augustine Foodbank from left, Ann Gardner, Arlene Smith, Trisha Marr, Alice Kelly, Eddie Gough and Anne Thomson lend their support to the Glasgow Times Bank on Us campaign (Image: Gordon Terris)

However, due to a rise in inflation, food supplies have been dwindling within the church and they have called on people to donate any extras they may have. 

Alice Kelly, a volunteer at St Augustine, explained that everyone is feeling the pinch of the cost of living crisis currently as they struggle to get food that lasts longer than a day to give out. 

She said: "Food banks like us, small independent ones, we are struggling to buy stuff.

"It is difficult to gather a large amount of food as some of the stuff we get from the shops are that day's date or the day before's date.

"A majority of our donations come from our parishioners and without their generosity we would be really struggling as we don't get from anywhere else.

"It is only at Christmas that we get donations from the schools, otherwise, we are left to our own devices."

Father Paul McAlinden (Image: Gordon Terris)

People who turn to donations offered by the church foodbank do not need to provide any identification when attending, something that the volunteers have noticed has made a huge difference. 

Along with getting essential household items, the volunteers also look to engage with people who attend as they want to ensure that no one is lonely.

Arlen Smith, another volunteer at the church, said: "When we first started we done a tea and toast where we would all sit down and have a chat.

"It helped people and it grew and grew but sadly now we can't sit with them due to how busy we have been.

"But we still continue it for those who come in and they really enjoy it.

"It is an important aspect as it really gives people the chance, if they are lonely, to chat with people."

Readers who are able to donate are being asked to fill the bags we supplied in our edition on Wednesday, November 15, with food items and hand them into one of our partner food banks.

The Glasgow Times has also launched a GoFundMe for the toy appeal and the link can be found HERE or at https://gofund.me/84747395

All proceeds will be used to purchase toys which will be distributed to charities around the city to be handed out to parents and put under the tree.

All proceeds will be used to purchase toys which will be distributed to charities around the city to be handed out to parents and put under the tree.

The Bank on Us 2023 campaign is proudly sponsored by Arnold Clark, Stagecoach, Allied Vehicles, Spar Scotland, Storage Vault and StepChange.

The increasing reliance on food banks across Glasgow is why our sponsor Spar was inspired to help.

Paula Middleton, head of marketing with Spar, said: "As a family-owned, truly Scottish business, the customer sits right at the heart of our company values.

"We view our customers as our neighbours and it’s one of our key pillars to nurture the neighbourhoods where our stores sit.

"Our favourite thing about this campaign is that it’s all about giving back and helping people who need it the most."

More information can be found about the Bank on Us initiative HERE