After club business, the 16th November meeting welcomed Richard Wemyss, who coordinates the local food bank and was returning to update us on changes over the past year.

It was very clear that the local bank has become more than a place to get a bag of food. Richard spoke of the way he has become aware of the difficult backgrounds of many of the people who are seeking help. Drug use, alcoholism, mental health issues and homelessness are very common. We heard too of isolation for those in ‘scatter flats’ arriving in the local community without contacts.

Richard explained that the food bank can become a point of social contact and has responded by offering coffee and soup. It has experimented with lessons on cooking – especially soup. But even at this level cost has to be considered, as a microwave is cheaper to run than a cooker. On this point, advice is also on offer from an ‘Energy’ group.

The bank operates from church premises, where the open space works well. Local churches are also the main supporters.

However the basic food bank role continues and grows. 580 bags of food were handed out in the first year of operation, 1500 bags in the second year and a total of 2500 bags from April 2013 to date. Whilst a few people regularly return, it is more usual for people to come once or twice – perhaps for help with an immediate difficulty – and then are seen no more. Perhaps ironically we heard that demand increased noticeably in the run up to the last election, when the need for food banks became a point of political debate!

Richard can be contacted at (eastneukfoodbank@gmail.com)