Foodbanks Appeal for Referrers

Tuesday September 30 2014

A Christian charity that runs several foodbanks in the north of Scotland has appealed for additional referral agents so they can help more people.

Blythswood Care runs nine foodbanks in the Highlands, having recently opened centres in Tain and the Hilton district of Inverness. People in need are referred to the foodbanks by agents who can assess their situation.

The charity says that clergy are frequently involved, along with care professionals such as doctors, district nurses and social workers, as well as schools, probation services, Citizens Advice Bureaux and Job Centres.

Blythswood's head of projects, Finlay Mackenzie, said: "“We open a food bank when local people identify a need in their own community and are willing to come together to form a support committee. They are staffed by volunteers who are there to serve those who come in with a voucher.

“But these volunteers do not decide who gets food. For this we need care professionals or those in positions of responsibility who are willing to hold vouchers and make them available to individuals or families in need.

“With more referral agents our food banks could be helping more people. We know that the need is out there. Our Foodbank Centres are busy but they have the capacity to do more.”

One referral agent is John MacDonald, manager of the CAP (Christians Against Poverty) Debt Centre in Kyle of Lochalsh.  He describes Blythswood’s Foodbank Centre in Kyle as a godsend and says: “In the past few months, it has provided food for six of our clients in crisis situations.  This gives a breathing space in which we can establish a budget for clients and help them through to becoming debt-free. “

Those who may be in a position to serve as referral agents are asked to contact Laura Ferguson, Blythswood’s Foodbank Development Officer, on 01349 830777 or email laura.ferguson@blythswood.org

Post Tags: foodbanks

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