A project to bring together local groups and volunteers across Scotland is helping people in Fife struggling during the coronavirus outbreak.
Viral Kindness Scotland has been contacted more than 5,000 times since the start of the crisis, with more than 750 businesses on organisations across the country registered to be part of the community-led project.
Now the initiative has partnered with 11 convenience stores in towns across the Kingdom to ensure there is food available for the vulnerable in the region.
The chains signed up so far include the Day-Today shops in Leven, Cowdenbeath, Kelty, Kirkcaldy, Bairhall, Townhill, Rosyth and Thornton as well as the USave store in Kinghorn.
The initiative is now building an army of volunteers to deliver vital goods or provide a friendly voice to talk to, as well as identifying vulnerable people who need help, and making vital connections with local volunteers, businesses and charities.
The service is designed to complement the Scottish Government’s national volunteering campaign, focusing on being a community-led hub to build connections.
Anas Sarwar, Labour MSP and one of the founders of Viral Kindness Scotland said the response from individuals, charities, community groups and businesses has been overwhelming.
He added: “The increased community spirit produced as a result of the coronavirus outbreak has resulted in hundreds of people receiving help.
“By pulling together and by mobilising our communities, we can all look out for our families, our friends and our neighbours.
“Initiatives are springing up organically in communities across the country, and the project is uniquely designed to make those vital connections between people and organisations.”
