Working Carnoustie families are turning to the town’s foodbank in the battle to survive the cost of living crisis.
The service run by the town’s Legion Scotland branch was a lifeline for many struggling during the pandemic.
And it is now giving vital support to around 100 locals a week.
But rocketing fuel costs, inflation and mortgage worries are bringing a new demographic.
“We’re seeing couples with children who are having to make the choice to feed the family, heat the house or pay the mortgage,” said Legion branch chairman Davie Paton.
Fact-finding visit
The foodbank’s crucial role was highlighted during a fact-finding visit by Angus Council community engagement officer Dianne Brand on Tuesday.
Mr Paton, who is Legion Scotland national vice-chairman, said: “The foodbank was in operation before the pandemic.
“But when Covid happened we applied for the government support to help keep it running and that came good.
“We have a good relationship with the council.
“So we wanted them to see how the money is being spent and the good it is doing in the community.
“People really need to look out for each other and we saw that during Covid.
“Maybe that is just slipping away a little bit now as things return to normal.
“But it’s the cost of living crisis which is meaning we are now seeing a different demographic using the foodbank.
“When we started it was pretty much older people, often living on their own.
“Some of our veterans were too proud to ask for support, but we have a very good local network and we were able to reach those who we could help.
“People are now facing different issues and those we help need us as much as ever.”
Dedicated team
The foodbank operates with a core team of around eight people.
“My team are absolutely brilliant,” said Davie.
“They are doing it all for the good of the community and never let them down.
“We operate in a slightly different way in that we take food parcels out to people rather than the foodbank being somewhere that is open all the time for folk to drop in.
“Far more is delivered out than people actually coming to the door for food.
“We seek to give all of our people three meals a week.
“We have fridges and freezers so we can store items and we want to put proper meals in their bellies.
Davie added: “We get deals from Fareshare, but businesses in the town, such as the Co-op, have been absolutely fantastic since we began.
“We were in existence before anyone had heard of Covid.
“We have a system that works and have had others come to us to see how we run our operation.
“But when working families now reaching out for support I think it shows the desperate situation many people are in.”
Conversation