North Ayrshire Foodbank would like to thank all of its supporters for their compassion and generosity. The last few years have not been kind to anybody for multiple reasons. The pandemic, energy crisis, cost of living crisis, and inflation to name but a few. However, despite all of those challenges the Local Authority, individuals, businesses, schools and churches have found means to continue to support the work of addressing food insecurity. The Foodbank thanks everybody for their financial contributions as well as each and every tin and packet of food.
The reporting year of the Foodbank is April to March and the latest figures show that your support has enabled the Foodbank to support 5,281 people when they have sought food support. That breaks down into 3,979 adults and 1,302 children.
The many who donate food raised 42.23 tons of tins and packets. A breakdown of source shows that the shoppers of major supermarkets dropped 26.48 tons into our collection points whilst getting their own shopping. Another 6.62 tons came from special collections across the year from local churches as well as staff and pupils from local Primary schools and Academies. The cash donations received enabled gaps in our food stocks to be replenished. Purchased food weighted in at 6.23 tons with the remaining 2.9 tons coming from individuals dropping of their gifts directly.
In addition to the supply of foodboxes we have been generously supported to continue our children’s holiday work, including the Junior chef project. A generous gift from the Postcode Lottery arrived just as the last of six-years of funding from the BBC Children in Need expired. The wonderful people from the Grey Dippers have allowed us to use their funds for the childrens work; pooling those funds means we can continue the work for the next three academic years. That’s a guarantee we can deliver a daily activity and a nutritious hot meal in support of households in Ardrossan and Ardeer.
Every tin and packet received makes an impact on the life of neighbours, friends and families across all of the communities of North Ayrshire (excepting Arran who have their own systems of support). Every penny donated allows for food purchases to keep stocks healthy and continuous.
Since December 2012 your gifts has ensured nobody has been turned away at a time of need. Thank you one and all for supporting this work. We look forward to your continued support in 2024.