Funding blow to Highland food banks charity
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North-based charity Blythswood Care has issued a public appeal for more donations after it lost an annual £75,000 recycling grant from Highland Council in the recent local authority budget.
The charity which has one of the largest networks of food banks in the Highlands handles around 2000 tonnes of clothing donations a year at its Evanton depot of which more than 99 per cent was reused or recycled.
Previously the council financially supported the recycling work and some local authority properties already host textile banks for taking unwanted clothing deposits but this year withdrew support.
The council had to plug an almost £30 million financial hole in its budget amid shrinking government grants for core services, the moves was called a “body blow” by operations manager Ian Matheson who admitted the loss of the recycling grant is not a complete surprise.
“We recognise that the Council has been faced with hard decisions. We’ve enjoyed a mutually beneficial partnership with Highland Council for over 15 years and we really appreciate that,” he said.
“Their support has enabled us to develop our re-use and recycling activities, reducing waste, providing local employment and raising support for projects such as Blythswood’s Highland Food Bank.
“Donations of clothing, bric-a-brac and quality furniture from the general public are going to be more important to us than ever as we aim to continue this aspect of our work despite the loss of this grant.”
The organisation processes more than 2,000 tonnes of donations a year at its Evanton depot, producing goods for its charity shops and selling on to processors in other parts of the country.
Mr Matheson said “We have to constantly review all that we do and consider what efficiencies we can make. You can help us now by giving our shops your custom and donations.
“All donations will be gratefully received so we can have continuity of employment – because this is about jobs too – as well as maintain service provision.”
A council spokeswoman said: “We have had very positive discussions with Blythswood and these are ongoing about how we can possibly work together in the future.”
Blythswood welcomes donations of textiles, footwear, bric-a-brac, small electrical goods, books and good quality furniture.
