Special report: Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank at Christmas

Think about how you would cope without a roof over your head or a bed to sleep in, when dreaming of waking up on December 25 in the comfort of your own home.

Consider having to make-do with tinned food and the most basic supplies as you tuck into your Christmas dinner.

Common festive struggles pale in comparison to those of people reliant on food banks.

As we approach the end of 2019, Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank is experiencing its busiest month of a year which saw a significant increase in demand.

Almost 2,000 parcels were handed out between November 2018 and October 2019, supporting 2,352 adults and 648 children (including repeat clients).

A further 1,825 meals were provided through the holiday lunch box scheme for school children.

In December 2017, 230 people received food bags. That number rose to 326 in the same month last year, and is expected to rise again this year.

READ MORE: Helensburgh food bank reports sharp rise in demand

Susan Davidson, who began helping out just over a year ago at the Red Cross hall on East Princes Street, where the food bank is open every Monday morning, Thursday night and Friday morning, is one of around 40 volunteers.

She said: “We have small bags of food for single people on their own, medium bags for couples or small families and larger bags for families of three or four, or more.

“We also have Christmas bags to make people’s Christmas dinners a bit special like everyone else’s on the day.

“We go through peaks and troughs of busy spells and quieter spells and our stock levels are usually maintained as what comes in goes straight out.

“It is rather sad that we need such a facility in this day and age.”

The bleak reality of the plight of many in the area who attend the food bank is offset against the kindness and comfort imbued by those who give up their time freely to support the group, as well as organisations and businesses which regularly donate much-needed items.

Chair Mary McGinley explains: “Year-on-year there has been an increase in demand for the food bank.

“It relies entirely on the generosity of the local community - they are the people who provide the food to those who come to see us.

“The food bank wouldn’t exist if it were not for that food coming in.

“We are also very fortunate with the range of people who help out here.”

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Helensburgh man Jim has been attending for a couple of years.

“The food bank is brilliant - it’s a lifeline,” he says, “It helps me immensely.

“If it wasn’t here, I would be up the creek without a paddle.”

That is perhaps the most stark truth of this sorry state of affairs - the fact that, for many, food banks have become less of an option, a last resort if and when needed, but their only option; an absolute necessity.

Mary continues: “People who come at this time of year don’t have any disposable income, so they are living on the breadline.

“They don’t have any headroom to deal with anything other than just the very basics.

“If their benefits are disrupted for one reason or another, or reduced, then it is not sufficient to live on, far less to save for things like Christmas presents. That places an increased demand on already stretched resources.

“When we started the food bank more than five years ago, we looked at things like child deprivation and it was clear that there was a need and demand. Social workers and health visitors were seeing families and individuals going without food for days.

“We also offer a place for people to come for a chat and a cup of tea and if they have any problems they can tell us. We can then signpost them to different organisations which can help.

“The impact of that side of things is immeasurable.

“People who are feeling down come along - obviously you can get down when you’re struggling on low income and you don’t know when your next meal or fuel top-up is coming.

“Here, they can sit down and have a chat with people who are willing to listen.

“A problem shared is a problem halved and single people don’t have anyone to share with. Social isolation is a reality.

“We are not doing this because we want to, but because we have to.”

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Michael and Kirsten have three young children and first came to the food bank in September, after Kirsten had to give up her job due to suffering with fibromyalgia.

Michael also left his work to become her full-time carer. Both were forced to apply for Universal Credit, but they say their benefits are barely enough to survive on.

“It just about covers our rent,” Kirsten said.

“When I was working I could afford the house from my wages, but now we can afford nothing else apart from that.

“Michael gets a carer’s allowance but it’s left us in a position where we have paid our rent and bills and we have no excess money, and we’re just trying to keep the house warm at this time of year.

“It’s a shame we have to have food banks. I helped set the Helensburgh and Lomond Foodbank up, so it’s really embarrassing that I now have to use it, but I don’t know what I’d do without it.”

Michael added: “The volunteers are very friendly here, you are not just pushed out the door. They genuinely care about how you feel.

“You get a lot of proud people who don’t like to admit they need help, but people shouldn’t be ashamed.”

The overriding factor in their current situation is clear.

“The minute we went on Universal Credit we were scunnered,” Kirsten said, “so hopefully that gets removed soon.”

Mary agrees. “All sorts of politicians say they are going to fix it but who is actually going to do anything about it?”

The food bank volunteers continue to work tirelessly in the lead up to Christmas and are always in need of donations. For more details, visit helensburghlomondfoodbank.org or search for their Facebook page.

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