Coronavirus: Kirkcaldy Foodbank shuts to ensure safety of volunteers

The Kirkcaldy Foodbank and its distribution points have temporarily shut to safeguard its volunteers as plans are drawn up to effectively maintain social-distancing as the number of people visiting the service surge.

Distribution points at Viewforth Church Hall, the Linton Lane Community Centre, New Volunteer House and Solid Rock will all be closed until at least tomorrow to give foodbank officials time to organise a safe social-distancing policy.

With many shops and supermarkets running out of stock due to many people panic buying, the Kirkcaldy Foodbank has seen a rise of people using the vital service across all of its distribution points.

Joyce Leggate, chairman of the Kirkcaldy Foodbank said: “We are having to shut to get guidance and advice from Fife Council and the Government on our social-distancing policy.

“It has been obvious that when our teams are working it is impossible to maintain a safe social-distance with our clients and each other.

“We need to close for the safety of our clients and our volunteers.”

Joyce explains that the situation at the foodbank is changing daily, she said: “The situation is very dynamic and is changing everyday, we have just plugged the gap regarding volunteers and we have plenty of food, but we have to address our social-distancing policy to ensure the safety of everyone that uses or volunteers at the foodbank.

“The public's response to our recent appeals have been amazing, with people volunteering their time to help and donations have been pouring in.

“The number of people who are coming to the foodbank for help has certainly risen with the coronavirus pandemic, but we need to be able to get the food from A to B as safely as possible for our volunteers.”

Mandy Henderson, Linton Lane Centre manager, said: “We have definitely seen a rise of people that are needing help from the foodbank at the centre, we had over 150 families visiting the foodbank here last Saturday in just over an hour that we were open.

“As well as families, there has also been pensioners and a lot of single men visiting the foodbank.

“The sense of community spirit has been inspiring to see as people are banding together to help each other out.”

Mandy has asked that if anyone was planning to visit the centre to check the Linton Lane’s Facebook page as all updates on the centre’s opening times will be posted there.

She said: “If anyone is in a crisis situation give us a call and we will try to help in any way we can.”

For more information call the Linton Lane Centre on 01592 643816.