TODAY marks the launch of the East Lothian Courier’s foodbank appeal.
As food prices and heating bills rise, more and more people are turning to their local foodbank for support.
In turn, that is putting increasing pressure on the hard-working voluntary groups across the county who, despite receiving continuing support, are struggling to keep up with demand.
Now, the Courier is urging big-hearted readers to dig a little bit deeper and give help to all of those who need it.
East Lothian is such a wonderful county in part because of the incredible community spirit of its people – and in that spirit, we’re asking you, our readers, to help us make a big difference for those in our county who are finding things tough right now.
Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting the incredible work carried out by the county’s foodbanks and food initiatives.
Then, on April 18, we will be including a donation bag in our paper, which we hope readers will fill with goods for the various groups – things like non-perishable food, toiletries, baby supplies, household items and more – for their local foodbank or initiative.
There will be lots of convenient locations for you to drop off your bag – we’ll carry a full list in that week’s issue.
The items you have donated will then be given out to those who need them most, making a real difference to the life of people in difficulty.
Any donation you can make, no matter how small, will be hugely appreciated.
We are being supported by our generous sponsors – AC’s Taxis, Minibuses & Coaches; Belmont Group; EDF; and Forth Blinds – and you’ll be hearing more from them in the coming weeks too.
Foodbanks and community food initiatives can be found throughout the county, supporting people during challenging times.
Last year, East Lothian Foodbank, based in Tranent, provided 125,300 meals to 13,927 people, a 22 per cent increase from the previous year.
A total of 135,040kg of items were given out to those in need last year by the foodbank.
In the first month of this year, a total of 590 households were supported by the foodbank, up 13 per cent from the same month last year, with 21 per cent of households being referred for the first time.
When asked what their reason for referral to the foodbank was, 59 per cent of people said that rising costs of essentials was the reason for visiting the foodbank, with 21 per cent saying it was due to the impact of a physical or mental health condition, and 20 per cent stating priority debt was the reason.
Elaine Morrison, foodbank manager, said that demand at the service continued to be very high.
She said: “It is not getting any easier at the moment. We had another very busy January.
“Initiatives like this are a huge support to us and go a long way to helping us support families.
“No donation is too small; if it’s a tin of beans or soup, that is still a massive help.
“We are seeing people of all backgrounds needing help, and we are having to buy in a lot of our food now, which takes away from our resources.
“If people can spare anything at all, it would be a huge help. The people of East Lothian are always so generous and we are asking once again for that support.”
Foodbanks and community initiatives welcome donations, big and small, to help them keep serving the community.
'A huge bonus'
Margaret Croft, co-ordinator of Dunbar Foodshare, was delighted to be involved with the appeal.
She said: “I think it is a huge bonus to us. We are very reliant on the community keeping us going.
“During Covid-19, we got some lovely grants but, post-Covid, we are more reliant on the community to help us out and local businesses if they can.
“Being an independent foodbank, we are on our own and not part of the Trussell Trust. Everything we do is centred around the community and community giving.”
Pat Lemmon, co-ordinator of the Lammermuir Larder, based in Haddington, also encouraged people to get involved.
She said: “I think [the appeal] is a fantastic thing.
“[Through the larder] donations that are made in the Haddington and Lammermuir area will stay in the Haddington and Lammermuir area.
“We rely very heavily on donations from the public. This cuts down on the need for us to go out and buy essential items.
“I think it is a wonderful idea and great that the Courier have decided to go forward with this initiative. We will always be grateful.”
'It has been difficult'
Ruth Davie, fundamental foods manager at the Pennypit Trust in Prestonpans, was keen for people to do what they could.
She said: “Any community donations can go a long way to helping those who need us.
“It has been difficult over the last year and we have seen probably about a 60 per cent rise in demand for our support.
“We have also seen about a 15 to 20 per cent rise in the number of older people in need.
“Any donations are a big help, from food to toiletries. It’s not been easy and I don’t think it will get easier. Donations have slowed a little due to everyone feeling the pinch, but any help is greatly appreciated.”
Pamela McKinlay, project manager at East Lothian Roots and Fruits in Elphinstone, called the initiative “a great idea”.
She added: “We are delighted to be asked to take part in this initiative.
“Our wee free food pantry is used regularly by individuals and families in need. The opportunity to get different things donated is really good.
'Even the smallest donation will make a difference'
“It would be nice to get some treats, biscuits and juice, some sweets or crisps – non-essentials but things that are everyday shopping for some but treats to those in need.
“The Easter holidays are coming up, difficult times for some families as the kids are home all day and looking for food.
“We always get more demand at this time. Even the smallest donation will make a difference to us.”
Katie Nevans, from North Berwick Kindness Co-operative, said: “The cost-of-living crisis is creating real challenges for people in our area, meaning demand for our services continues to grow.
“It’s why we’re pleased to support the Courier’s campaign on this very real issue in our midst and how we can come together as a community to help.”
Sponsors want to give back to community
As foodbanks and food initiatives across East Lothian are asking our readers to offer any support they can, big-hearted county businesses have stepped up to offer their support and do their part for the cause.
The four sponsors of the Courier’s foodbank appeal have decided to give back to the community for their custom over the years – and each of them have a desire to help in any way they can.
Tranent-based business AC’s Taxis, Minibuses & Coaches; Forth Blinds, based in Prestonpans; Wallyford motoring business Belmont Group; and EDF Energy, which runs Torness Power Station near Dunbar, have all kindly stepped up to sponsor the appeal.
Each sponsor has recognised the need for support for the most vulnerable in our community.
Robert Campbell Jnr, partner at AC’s Taxis, Minibuses & Coaches, said: “We always try to give back a bit to the community, sponsoring a lot of the local groups and initiatives, including Tranent FC and Chris Ewing Karate.
“This was another opportunity to do so and we are delighted to be involved.
“Foodbanks have been appearing a lot more now, a sign of how the world is at the moment, and we know they need help.
“Anything we can do to promote that support is something we want to do.”
Philip O’Brien, director of Forth Blinds, said that hearing there was still a need for foodbanks in East Lothian was “disgraceful”.
He said: “We want to do what we can to help the local community when we can.
“The fact that in 2024 we are still seeing people need to use a foodbank is shocking. It’s disgraceful.
“I know the demand is high and it is sad to see people suffering in this way.
“I’m glad we can be involved and do our bit to help.”
'Really worthwhile'
Duncan Cunningham, operations director at Belmont Group (Wallyford), described getting behind the campaign as “the right thing to do” and they were “happy to get involved”.
He said: “The past few years, we have focused quite a lot on local support groups and charities.
“It has been a really worthwhile thing to do. It gets the staff involved and is a good fit with our company ethic.
“It is good to see people getting behind it.”
Ashleigh Dickson, Torness communication and community lead, said: “Times continue to be tough for people across the country and foodbanks need donations now as much as they ever have.
“I am glad Torness Power Station has been able to support this initiative, which will help Dunbar Foodshare to keep putting food on the tables of people in East Lothian who are struggling.”
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