Food delivery service for elderly people saved by volunteers

Charity organisation Food Train provides food packages to those most in need in and around Glasgow.

A food delivery service for elderly people was saved by volunteers after demand for food supplies soared through the pandemic.

Charity organisation Food Train provides food packages to those most in need in and around Glasgow.

They say they have seen a 50% increase in their service since lockdown began in March 2020.

However, many of the charity’s volunteers were forced to isolate due to being in the shielding category, which impacted their work.

Charlotte Andrews, Food Train development officer, said: “All of a sudden we found ourselves with no volunteers and then hundreds of more people that needed support.

“Amazingly, we had around 500 people in a matter of months come forward to offer their services to volunteer.

“These people would have had no one there without our support.”

Food Train operated with more than 1700 volunteers prior to the pandemic.

Colm Birmingham was one of 500 people who got involved when the charity was in search for new volunteers.

He said: “I was aware in the first lockdown how isolating it was for people and how much people relied on others.

“When the second lockdown happened, I knew people would need help.

“It’s almost like a lifeline for them, it’s been incredibly important. They rely so much on Food Train.”

Kirsty Gibbs has relied on Food Train’s services during the pandemic.

She said: “I’ve not looked back. It’s a wonderful help in so many ways.

“They couldn’t have been more helpful, it’s a real lifeline to myself and to others.”

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