New foodbank opens in Thornliebank

A foodbank staffed by adults with additional support needs has opened its doors in Thornliebank, East Renfrewshire!

Article Source: East Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 16 January 2014 10:50

Kind-hearted service users at Thornliebank Resource Centre are making up food parcels, handing them out and working in the centre’s café to serve hot drinks to those who need them.

And their work means the East Ren foodbank now has a long-term base in Eastwood.

The idea to set up a foodbank distribution and collection centre came from the centre’s service users after they arranged a collection of food and toiletries for the East Ren foodbank last year. A committed group wanted to help people in crisis in the long term and suggested setting up an Eastwood branch of the East Ren foodbank in their resource centre.

The food welcome centre will be open for those who need a three-day food parcel from 12.30 to 2.30pm every Thursday at Thornliebank Resource Centre, Robslee Drive, Thornliebank, Glasgow, G46 7BA.

Donations of food and toiletries are welcomed any time from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday.

Thornliebank Resource Centre is run by East Renfrewshire CHCP. It provides support for around 40 people with learning disabilities from across East Renfrewshire. The centre helps to make people more independent and supports an active life in the local community.

Karene McDougall, a service user who is very involved with the Food Welcome centre said: “I like helping people and I want to make sure that they get something to eat. People are welcome to come to Thornliebank to have a tea or coffee when they are waiting to collect their food parcels.”

Ken Trench, the main organiser of the East Ren food bank said: “ East Renfrewshire Foodbank is delighted to launch a foodbank at Thornliebank Resource Centre. The centre’s support will enable us to distribute food to people who find themselves in hardship and in need of food.”

The ‘East Renfrewshire Foodbank’ already has a base in Barrhead. It provides assistance to those who need it across the whole of East Ren. It was started last year by church leaders and members of the local community. It is run by volunteers who collect, sort and put together non-perishable food parcels to provide three-day emergency food supplies.

To date East Renfrewshire Foodbank has mobilised over 60 volunteers and fed an astonishing 592 people (218 of those people were children) since its launch in September 2013.

If you are in crisis and need food, or know someone who is, a referral and food voucher can be obtained from agencies like ER Citizens Advice, ER Money Advice Team, schools, Clarkston social work office, your doctor and Voluntary Action.