Eat or heat '“ we can't sit and do nothing ...

Community Meals project volunteers from left Ian Robertson, Siobhan Robertson ,Peter Burns and David Nelson. (pic George McLuskie).

Glenrothes Area Resident’s Association (GARF), has joined forces with the CISWO Club to deliver the daily service which will offer a hot lunchtime meal to anyone unable to provide for themselves.

The move follows GARF’s recent financial support initiative to townsfolk who were experiencing fuel poverty or had already had their utility supply cut off.

Ian Robertson, chairman, said: “Having seen the true extent of desperation and difficulty being experienced by those living below the poverty line, we quickly realised that it wasn’t just the fuel poverty aspect but the fact that a growing number of people are being forced to choose between heat or eat.

“They are suffering extreme hardship. We simply couldn’t sit by and let it continue.”

The group has already put aside £5300 from Fife Council’s Anti Poverty Fund and secured donations from some of the town’s supermarkets and Ian and his colleagues now have enough backing to be able to run the service week days for the next 13 weeks.

“We will assess the level of success and demand,” said Mr Robertson. People will be encouraged to give a small donation only if thay can afford it.

“First and foremost, this is about offering support to those people who need it,” he said.

“Every penny we receive will be used to help those finding themselves in such difficult and testing circumstances. We don’t want to be doing it, but it’s unfortunately a sad reality in today’s world.

“People want and need help, we have to do what ever we can.”

The kitchen initiative will also rely heavily on the support of Dundee-based charity FoodShare which puts to use food destined to go to waste to provide nutritious meals in support of community projects across the region.

“They have been particularly supportive of this project, it’s now about letting the public know that the meals service will be there for them,” said volunteer Peter Burns.

“We will be hosting a trial launch day on Saturday serving meals and will then roll the kitchen project out fully on Monday, from noon to 3pm,” he added.

David Nelson, CISWO club secretary, said:“The club is in an ideal location with ample facilities to accommodate such a worthy cause. We are delighted to be able to support the initiative.”