Inverness charity supplies hot meals for those in need
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FOOD For Families, an Inverness-based charity, is distributing Christmas hampers to the needy in the area over the next few days – in addition to its normal service of supplying hot meals over the peak winter period.
In its ninth winter of bringing sustenance to local families on the poverty line Food For Families is appealing for more volunteers to cook meals and for more food to be donated to meet a growing demand.
The charity was launched by Inverness businessman David Sutherland and his wife Anne.
It has delivered 23,500 meals since its formation and plans to offer 3000 more between now and mid-January.
Inverness restaurant owner Catriona Cameron and Williamson Foodservice, which provides wholesale food and drink to the hospitality, catering and retail trades, are once again giving the fresh produce for the dishes.
The project is managed by Gateway, who liaise with local schools, social workers and community centres to ensure meals are distributed to families in most need.
Mr Sutherland said: “Food For Families is an idea which has grown massively over a period when the number of families in poverty in the Inverness area has expanded beyond expectations.
“We hit 15,000 meals in the winter of 2016-17 and now we’ll crash through the 25,000 barrier by New Year. It’s a tribute to all who have helped in any way.
“It is a pity that there is now such demand from families in need – and cooking and distributing warming food to people in the middle of winter is a real challenge.
“But our wonderful volunteers have considered it a privilege.”
Alex Gilchrist, general manager of Gateway, a service provider working with a diverse range of clients who may be in receipt of supported accommodation, Care at Home Services, or housing support within their own homes, said: “Christmas hampers and cooked meals are a boon to families in need and we’ll be busy delivering in excess of 700 cooked meals over the next few days, and anything up to 50 food and toiletry hampers as well as full packs of Christmas dinners on Christmas Eve.
“Donations of dry foods for food hampers would be gratefully received as
well as donations of toiletries.
“We find people are immensely grateful. We’re reaching families who have been identified as being in genuine need and those who help consider their efforts tremendously worthwhile.”
Catriona Cameron said: “When David first approached me nine years ago to help I couldn’t have dreamed that it would grow into such a magnificent undertaking , all without a penny from the public purse.”
