ADVERTISER readers are being urged to support a campaign for a Wee County good cause and help those most in need around the communities of Clackmannanshire.
The foodbank at The Gate Charity in Alloa is once again appealing for donations, looking for basic items that can help families amid the challenges faced by all today.
In the coming weeks, and as with previous appeals of this kind, a bag will be provided in the Alloa Advertiser to give readers an opportunity to take part and support the good cause and the families it helps each week – keep an eye out for more details to come.
A wide range of sponsors are also proud to stand with the charity and behind the appeal, which means a lot for the staff and volunteers of the good cause.
The appeal is timely with the start of the school holidays this month, placing additional pressures on families being caught up in the cost of living crisis.
Tinned meats, vegetables, pulses and beans as well as long-life milk – items with a long shelf-life which can be stored easily – are being sought by the good cause, which has been supporting people around the Wee County for years.
With the summer holidays going into full swing, there are also hopes people may donate nicer shelf-stable items the young people will enjoy as part of the 2024 Foodbank Appeal.
Jay-Anne McLaughlin, foodbank development co-ordinator at The Gate, told the Advertiser demand on the service can rise and fall but on average, some 50 food parcels are provided by the good cause each week on average.
She said: “That’s 50 food parcels, that could be for one person, a small family or a large family.
“This week, we had quite a lot of large families because it’s the start of the summer holidays.
“We are hoping people would maybe donate things that are nicer: kids’ snacks, maybe flavoured UHT milk, just to keep the kids going over the holidays.
“We are still in this cost of living crisis, people are still not getting an awful lot of money and the prices, even though they are supposedly coming down – it’s still really tough for people to afford a weekly shop just now.”
Alloa’s Foz Sports Bodyshop, O-I Glass, Alloa Road Motors, Tillicoultry Quarries and Allanwater Homes are proudly sponsoring the appeal this time around.
Jay-Anne said: “It’s really appreciated these people are supporting us with this venture and it gets their name out here as well.”
She added: “Thank you to everyone who supports us on a regular basis, as well as these one-off collections, we really do appreciate all the help – it means a lot to us and the clients we help day in, day out.”
Tillicoultry Quarries was keen to get behind the appeal as a family business.
A spokesperson said: “Tillicoultry Quarries are delighted to support the 2024 Foodbank Appeal alongside other local businesses.
“As a family business it is very important to us that we continue to support our local communities.
“We hope that this partnership with our local press will help make a difference to people who may be finding things difficult and encourage other donations.”
The cause is also close to the heart at Foz Sports, managing director David Forster having grown up in the Wee County.
A spokesperson said: “Foz Sports are once again very happy to help with the appeal for the local food bank.
“Due to Foz Sports being a family owned business in the local area we appreciate that times have been exceptionally hard just now with the current living crisis.
“As David Forster, the managing director, has grown up in the Clackmannanshire, he hopes that between the local business and local people we can all come together to help families and individuals that are struggling at these hard times.”
As a business with close connections to the Wee County community as well, sponsoring the appeal was an easy decision for Alloa Road Motors and director Richard O’Neill.
A company spokesperson said: “Alloa Road Motors are pleased to support the local food bank appeal.
“As a business deeply rooted in the community, we understand the challenges many are facing during the current cost of living crisis.
“Richard hopes that through the combined efforts of local businesses and residents, we can provide much-needed assistance to families and individuals during these difficult times.”
Those at Allanwater Homes were also on board with the fundraiser from the beginning.
Lynn McNair, the firm’s development sales manager, said: “We are delighted to offer our continuing support to the good work of the Alloa foodbank.
“It’s such a vital charity at this time when people continue to struggle. As a local company, we are always keen to help.”
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OI Manufacturing UK Ltd
Foz Sports Bodyshop
Alloa Road Motors Ltd
Tillicoultry Quarries
Allanwater Homes
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