Food Bank Friday – We need YOU!

Dunblane Boys’ Brigade is holding a huge summer appeal collection for Startup Stirling’s crisis food bank. We are responding to a very tough situation which occurs in the summer months when demand is highest yet supplies are at their lowest.

The collection will take place on Friday 19th June between 5.30 and 8.00pm in Dunblane Cathedral Hall. All donations of non-perishable foodstuffs, toiletries, household supplies, baby products, etc. will be gratefully received. Cash or cheque donations to help towards fresh food can also be made.

Why is the need so great in summer? There are many reasons, but here are the key ones:
In the summer, children are off school, hence they have no access to free school meals or breakfast clubs, which can normally provide two meals per day for children of families in need.
Working families may have to shell out more in the holidays for child care or activities to allow them to keep working, hence less money for food for themselves, as adults.
During the holidays, people who normally donate are away and so donations drop off significantly.
Organisations such as our own, which hold regular monthly collections, are on a break and so, again, supplies into the food bank diminish.

All of these factors add up to create a very tough situation. We don’t want to see Startup Stirling’s food bank shelves go bare over the summer, but that is a very real possibility. However, if the people of Dunblane can respond in great number, we can collect enough in one night to ensure this doesn’t happen.

What should I donate?

FOOD: Cereals, cereal bars, tinned fish/meat, tinned soup/veg/beans etc., rice, pasta, jam, peanut butter, cook-in sauces for pasta/rice, dried soups, instant meals (non-perishable), biscuits/oatcakes, condiments, tea/coffee/hot chocolate, sugar, UHT/long-life milk, diluting juice, tinned fruit/desserts, condiments.

HOUSEHOLD: kitchen roll, toilet roll, scourers, washing-up liquid, hand-soap, multi-purpose cleaner, shampoo, soap, deodorant, toothpaste, shower gel, shaving foam/gel, razors, tampons.

BABY SUPPLIES: wipes, cream, nappies, etc.

You can also donate cash or cheques (payable to ‘Startup Stirling’) on the night. These will go towards providing fresh fruit and vegetables etc along with the packs which are sent out using donated food. Thanks for your support. For more information about Startup Stirling, see www.startupstirling.org.uk