Cottage Centre's 17,000 packed lunches during lockdown

Kirkcaldy’s Cottage Family Centre has paid tribute to its volunteers and supporters who pulled out all the stops to help during lockdown.

Since the pandemic hit in March, staff at the centre in Templehall have been overwhelmed by the response from the local community, businesses and organisations.

Pauline Buchan, strategic manager, said: “Without the generosity we’ve seen over the past few months we quite simply wouldn’t have been able to provide the level of support we have to our families.”

At the start of lockdown, the Cottage recognised services couldn’t be delivered in the same way, and had to adapt quickly.

Staff also realised quickly that families needed food, essentials, help with utility bills and household items urgently.

Its work with Greener Kirkcaldy and the Scottish Government meant it could support families at a time of need.

It provided 2762 food packages, and supported families with utility bills, providing white goods like cookers and washing machines, clothing and activity packs for children.

A total of 17,100 packed lunches were given to children thanks to Edinburgh based charities Social Bite and Cash, while the community donated money, food, and baby items.

Added Pauline: “Those donations were so important to us, but we have also been so thankful for the number of volunteers who gave their time.

“From the amazing staff from Fife Council’s criminal justice and community payback teams and social work’s children and families staff who went shopping, delivered food parcels and helped with deliveries, to Lizzie Halstead and the other outstanding local people who have rolled their sleeves up to help make up the parcels and lunches, we are so grateful to every single one.

“We couldn’t have achieved what we have for families without them.”

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Businesses which rallies round included Super Meals, LOCO, Stephen’s Bakery, Aiden Sutherland Foundation, TESCO, Co-op, Morrison’s, Boots, Aldi, Asda, Lidl, EXXON Mobil, McTears , Rexroth, Northwood Charitable Trust, DJ Jordan Clark, and Kirkcaldy photographer Paul Adams, while computer Shop Hago donated PCs to families who needed them to home school their children.

Kirkcaldy based artist, Susan McGill, also raised a huge sum by creating a special poster which sold hundreds of copies.

Added Pauline: “Families in this town have faced worry, financial hardship and the stress of not being able to feed their kids.

“The generosity we’ve seen pour in has shown them that people do care and that they aren’t alone.”

The Cottage Family Centre is also the only Fife finalist in the Persimmon Home’s Building Futures fund. The charity with the most votes is in with a chance of winning prizes of £100,000, £50,000 or £20,000.

To help, cast your vote by clicking on the link below and vote for the Cottage Family Centre.

https://www.persimmonhomes.com/building-futures/finalists

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