Operators of Dundee Foodbank are overwhelmed with gratitude after generous Dundonians set a new record by donating almost a tonne of food in just three hours.
The charity held its annual warehouse open day to replenish stocks in the run up to Christmas.
Selfless locals responded with 993kg food flying into the Dunsinane Avenue building — more than double that donated on the same day last year.
The amount is a huge boost and will give volunteers a full week before Christmas to distribute items to those in need.
Manager Ken Linton said the amount handed in was “just phenomenal”.
He said: “It’s a new record for us for sure.
“To have this much donated in just three hours is just incredible. We have had a similar amount donated in the past but that was in a full day not just a few hours.
“We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has been donating, not just on Sunday but every day.
“The people of Dundee have always been incredibly generous but this really was overwhelming.
“Whenever we need help we simply ask and Dundonians have always responded.”
The donations are on top of a whopping four and a half tonnes handed in to Tesco Riverside and Tesco South Road by kind-hearted Dundonians over four days at the end of November and beginning of December.
Volunteers will now sift through the items and organise parcels made up of the most essential foods such as pasta, rice, and tinned vegetables.
Mr Linton said the donations are much-needed as the winter months put extra pressure on families already struggling.
He believes the impressive haul may be the public’s response to the roll-out of the much maligned new benefits system.
He said: “Universal Credit is certainly the big talking point right now.
“We don’t always know the reasons why people donate but it’s being covered a lot in the press and it could be that people are responding to it.
“We know that people are struggling and there are delays to payments.”
The charity will join forces with Dundee United and the city’s other major foodbank, Taught by Muhammad on Saturday for a cash collection at Tannadice Stadium for the game against Falkirk.
Mr Linton added: “It’s always a good day for us.
“We of course don’t expect people to rock up to the football with tins of baked beans and things so it’s more a case of collecting cash donations.
“We’ll be there from 1pm to 3pm before the game kicks off.”
Meanwhile, Perth and Kinross Foodbank is thriving thanks to the generosity of local supporters.
The team feared the worst earlier this year due to changes to the benefits system.
But a steady supply of donations given by schools, organisations and families has meant the charity has maintained a healthy stock in the run up to Christmas.
Angus Foodbank is able to meet increasing demand through public donations and feeds an average of 80 people every week while giving out 2.5 tonnes of food each month.
Foodbanks in Fife are also benefiting from donations with Cupar Foodbank boosted by shoppers at Tesco, children at Ceres Primary and Bell Baxter High School, as well as Auchtermuchty Community Centre.
