Over 50 emergency bags of food were handed out to needy families in Wishaw over the festive period.
Wishaw Community Foodbank, run by members of South Wishaw Parish Church, have been helping to feed hungry individuals and families within the community.
The foodbank closed its doors over the festive period but even then volunteers did their best to help struggling families over Christmas and new year.
Foodbank volunteer Mari Lindsay said: “Our New Life Recovery Hub has been open on a Tuesday and a Friday and we had some bags made up just incase anyone appeared.
“It was a big shock when we had 20-odd in one day and then 10 the next day.
“We had 50 bags handed out in total. It was actually frightening and so sad.
“Before we closed for Christmas we gave out bags with three times as many goods as we normally do so it just shows how tough it has been for people.”
Launched in April 2021, the church took over the reins from Basics Foodbank which formerly operated the service in the town.
Other support services available at the church include the New Life Recovery Hub, which is run in partnership with the Street Connect organisation, and a drop-in cafe.
Mari has been bowled over by the support the foodbank has received in the weeks leading up to Christmas.
She added: “We have had tremendous support from schools, business, community groups and members of the public.
“We recently had pupils from Wishaw Academy and Thornlie Primary down at the church and they saw for themselves the work that we do.
“It was the kids who then decided that they wanted to do a collection. God love them.
“But they are just two of the schools who have helped us. They have been many more.
“But we have had pensioners dropping off cash and teams at University Hospital Wishaw have also given us a tremendous amount of support.
“This has really helped us because it allowed us to give out more food before Christmas, have enough for emergency bags and will also allow us to replenish the stock for January and February which are always really busy for us.
“People usually get paid before Christmas so they will rely on us in the run-up to payday in January and February.”
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