Levenmouth foodbank amazed by support

Alison Nelson and Stewart English, coordinators at the foodbank, said they were ‘amazed’ by the support.

Customers at Sainsbury’s Leven donated hundreds of items via the collection trolley in the run up to the Christmas period, while locals schools, including Viewforth Nurdery, Aberhill, Mountfleurie and St Agatha’s primary schools, and Buckhaven High School, local businesses and groups, including East Fife Juniors, as well as kind and generous individuals from throughout the community, donated bags of food and raised money for the project, which was set up in 2013.

Alison told the Mail: “We were once again amazed at the response of Sainsbury’s customers when we had our food collection days at the beginning of December.

“We also had donations from dozens of local businesses, schools, churches and individuals.”

The coordinators also thanked the Old Manor Hotel in Lundin Links for suppling soup for its Cafe Connect group, which is held every Tuesday morning.

Over Christmas, the staff and volunteers supported 202 people, compared with 169 in 2014. That was despite the number of vouchers being processed only jumping from 91 to 93, which Stewart says indicates a greater demand from families.

He explained that benefit changes/delays were one of the greatest causes of people coming to the foodbank last year, at 44 per cent.

But with greater demand, comes greater support. Stewart said: “In 2014, we had just over 16,000kg in donations, but last year, that grew to over 19,000kg. We really do appreciate the support and we just wouldn’t be here without it.”

The foodbank is on Bowling Green Street, Methil and is open 4pm to 6pm on Mondays and Fridays.