HELENSBURGH and Lomond Foodbank is "working well" during the current coronavirus crisis, despite a sharp rise in the number of users and a dramatic loss of volunteers.
The community organisation is continuing with its usual weekly sessions at the Red Cross hall in East Princes Street and at the Howie Pavilion in Rosneath, as well as an outreach service to Arrochar.
However, changes have had to be made in response to the new guidelines surrounding social distancing, with a walk-through 'give and go' system now in operation.
Food is pre-packed in plastic bags which are placed on a single small table together with a bag of bakery, fruit and eggs ready for each client to pick up, with the quick one-way system reducing the risk of infection.
Two-thirds of the group's volunteers had to stand down during March to comply with government health advice but offers of help have since flooded in to cover.
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And Mary McGinley, food bank chair, said that while the number of clients has almost doubled for some sessions, volunteers are coping for the time being.
She said: "Unfortunately we can’t offer coffee, a seat and a chat to the clients but at least they can get the food they need.
"There has been a big increase in the numbers attending: we put out 67 bags this week, up from 47 for the same period last year.
"Rosneath has been busier as well with 17 clients this week, up from the usual nine. Rosneath also has a walk-through process.
"Food donations have been holding up well despite the low stocks in the supermarkets and restrictions on the number of items people can buy.
"We have been fortunate in receiving offers of help to cover the sessions from people working from home or on leave from work and from others who heard that so many of our volunteers had to reluctantly give up volunteering with the food bank."
Recent donations of Easter eggs from Ministry of Defence Police at RNAD Coulport, as well as three trolley loads of food from the Helensburgh Waitrose supermarket in Cardross Road, have ensured stock levels remain steady during these testing times.
Mary added: "The donation boxes at both Waitrose and the Co-op have been overflowing and there have been a lot of donations handed into the Red Cross hall.
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"We are also receiving a very generous amount of food weekly from Morrisons in Dumbarton as part of their national campaign to help food banks.
"All donations are now directed to the Glenfinlas Street entrance where the garage is being manned during our normal opening hours to ensure that we maintain social distancing for those donating.
"We have also received numerous financial donations from people wanting to support those who are having to come to the food bank for help to put food on the table."
To donate to the food bank, visit the drop-off point at the Helensburgh Co-op in Sinclair Street or bring supplies to the Glenfinlas Street entrance to the Red Cross hall between 9.30am and 12pm on Mondays and Fridays, or from 6-8pm on Thursdays.
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