Glasgow food bank predicted more pensioners needing services

The hub based at Blawarthill Parish Church, Scotstoun, is facing rising demand over the cost-of-living crisis, but expects even more people to attend this Christmas.

Shona Simm, the Glasgow North West Foodbank project manager, is bracing for more elderly people to use their services as tens of thousands of pensioners in will lose the Winter Fuel Payment this year.

She is hoping more people can try to donate as they are already giving out “twice as much” as they are bringing in, but said she knows everyone is feeling the “pinch”.

Shona Simm, Glasgow NW Foodbank project manager. (Image: Colin Mearns)

Shona explained: “People should be able to afford the essentials, it is a human right to be able to eat and be warm. Not everyone has that luxury anymore.

“The demographic has changed a bit for people coming into the food bank, we are expecting more elderly people because of the Winter Fuel Payment situation.

“We are helping people with their electricity and gas as well by joining a fuelbank foundation so people can heat the food we give them.

“We don't get a lot of older people in right now, but we are thinking during winter these numbers will go up.”

The items in the crate are typical food items that are in high demand- cereal, tinned ham, long life milk, tinned tomatoes, tea, sweetcorn and diluting juice. (Image: Colin Mearns)

Shona pictured in the store room. (Image: Colin Mearns)

Previously, the Labour UK Government announced it was scrapping Winter Fuel Payment for pensioners unless they get Pension Credit.

In Scotland the benefit is devolved but the Scottish Government said the resulting cut in their budget of £160m means it has no option but to follow the decision.

The cut will remove around £15m from pensioners in Glasgow this winter as almost 60,000 of the most vulnerable people miss out.

Now the Glasgow NW Foodbank has joined our Bank on Us appeal to help feed people struggling in the city as demand grows.

It will be the sixth year in a row the campaign is running to help food banks across the city. 

Every edition of the Clydebank Post on Wednesday, November 27, will feature a paper bag which can be filled up with food items and donated to your local food bank.

By speaking to food bank volunteers on the front lines of the cost-of-living crisis we hope to share why donations are so important.

Shona added: “We are putting out twice as much as we are bringing in, people just aren’t in a position to donate like before.

“Being part of the Bank on Us appeal really does help, every little matters because donations are down so much you wouldn’t believe it.

“You can have the best will in the world but if the money isn’t there then you can’t add anything to your shopping basket for us.

“We are so lucky that the people who can spare anything do give us money or items. It really makes a big difference.

“Everyone is just feeling the pinch, but those on benefits or low incomes are really struggling now and demand is growing.

“In the bags, if people could offer cereal, diluting juice, tuna, long-life milk, tins, custard, and potatoes, those things go a long way.”

As well as the food drive, we will be raising money for our Bank on Us toy drive via GoFundMe - which hopes to deliver thousands of gifts to our most vulnerable children this Christmas.

We are hoping our readers, nurseries, schools, and businesses get behind the campaign by donating.

All proceeds will be used to purchase toys which will be distributed to charities to be handed out to parents and put under the tree.

Stacey Mullen, editor of the Clydebank Post, said: "Times are tough, families are facing so much hardship amid the cost of living crisis, and if we can all take a moment to spare a thought for them and give something back, no matter how small, it will make a huge difference.

“The greatest thing about editing this newspaper is knowing that our readers all look out for each other and doing this campaign will no doubt prove that.

“So thank you from the bottom of our hearts for helping us with Bank on Us.”

You can donate towards our toy bank by clicking HERE. 

The Bank on Us 2024 campaign is proudly sponsored by Allied Vehicles, Arnold Clark, Smyths Toys Superstores, SPAR Scotland, Stagecoach, StepChange, Storage Vault and Wise Group.

We will be speaking with our sponsors over the coming weeks, as well as other food banks.