Newsletter June 2020
How to get support
As the pandemic continues and not all businesses are able to yet open, the need for crisis food support continues.
We are Hiring a new Food Bank & Client Services Manager
Do you want to work to break the cycle of food bank dependency?
Could you help others by building financial capacity, energy capability and independent living skills within the target community?
Scottish Government thanks Pandemic Volunteers
Original article was posted on The Scottish Governments Website
Volunteer Newsletter June 2020
May 2020 Most needed items
Jams/spreads
Giving Tuesday 2020
Today is #GivingTuesdayNow – a global day of unity and giving. The coronavirus outbreak has changed how we operate, but we will never stop as long as our services are needed. If you can, please donate below or at www.startupstirling.org.uk/donate Thank you!
Essential Council Support
HUGE thanks to Stirling Council for supporting Start Up Stirling during the coronavirus pandemic. They have provided additional warehouse space, weekly donations of essential food items & redeployed five staff to help with collections & deliveries. We are so, so grateful!
Dial a Journey supporting Start Up Stirling
Thank you to Order of Malta Dial a Journey Trust who are currently assisting our home delivery foodbank by providing a van & driver (this is Graham below!) 2 days a week. Thank you for your support to ensure we reach those most in need during lockdown.
Start Up Stirling – Foodbank Press release, 24th March 2020
- We are now delivering food to all foodbank clients, so that no-one needs to gather together unnecessarily. At present, we continue to work on a referral only basis, our clients all being sent on from other agencies.
- We anticipate that the economic effect of the pandemic will impact rapidly on many people, with many falling into food poverty and needing referral to the food bank. We are already receiving such new referrals.
- We are working with Stirling Council and other agencies to maintain support and food supplies to those in need in the area despite the difficulties of the present emergency.
- In line with government recommendations and advice we have put into effect additional health and safety procedures to protect our staff, volunteers and clients.
- We have suspended volunteering activity by the elderly and those who are medically vulnerable. Some of our remaining volunteers are having to self-isolate, so our active volunteer pool has shrunk. However, the present emergency is already prompting further people to volunteer their time. Those who might be able to help can contact [email protected]
- It is quite clear from the UK Government advice note that volunteers for Start Up Stirling will be considered “key workers” and not prohibited from their work as volunteers. Charities are on the list of “Key public services” and we are at present very much in the business of “food … distribution … and delivery”.
- For most items the warehouse is sufficiently stocked and doesn’t cause us any immediate concerns. Thanks to the generosity of local people, donations have continued. However, if referral numbers rise, and we face an increased demand, we will be sending more and more out from the warehouse.
- Please keep donating food. As we are trying to limit contact at the warehouse, we would encourage people to leave their donations at supermarket donation stations rather than bringing them in personally. Government advice is that we should all reduce our frequency of shopping. Please consider putting more than usual in the donation station if it is less often than usual.
- Please keep donating money. We need to maintain our premises, with enhanced safety and hygiene measures put in place and there will be increased mileage on our vehicles as we are delivering food to all clients and have additional pick-ups from supermarkets. We buy some fresh food to supplement the longer life products, such as tins and packets, which have been donated. Donations can be made online through our website (https://startupstirling.org.uk/donate) or Facebook page and can be increased at no cost if you are a taxpayer able to use Gift Aid.