'There is real poverty': Caithness Foodbank sees big increase in demand
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Volunteers at Caithness Foodbank say the ever-increasing demand for their service has highlighted the "unbelievable" level of poverty in the county.
Clients ranging from teenagers to pensioners are relying on food parcels from the charity's two centres and the run-up to the festive season has been particularly busy as many families struggle to cope with the high cost of living.
"There has been a big increase in demand over the past year," chairman Grant Ramsay said. "We've been really busy.
"Folk are struggling to pay bills, and with Christmas coming along they know that they can get food here and they can pay their bills or maybe buy presents for their kids. There is real poverty, with fuel prices and the price of food."
Wick volunteer David Miller said: "For a relatively small community it's unbelievable, the underlying poverty. It seems to be a spiral downwards.
"We're actually having to buy food ourselves to keep it going. But we have to say the community has been very supportive, especially at this time of year.
"I think there are still a lot of good people out there in these tough times and they do care about the community."
Caithness Foodbank's centres are open from noon to 2.30pm on Tuesdays and Fridays at the former Carnegie library in Sinclair Terrace, Wick, and at 13 Princes Street in Thurso.
There are about 20 volunteers, spread equally across Wick and Thurso, and they are helping up to a dozen clients a day at each centre.
Food donations come from local stores such as Tesco, the Co-op, Lidl, B&M, Farmfoods and Pets at Home, although Grant pointed out: "We've still got to buy food because the demand is so high."
One benefactor provided vouchers for clients to use at butcher shops in Wick and Thurso.
The food bank works with about 20 referral agencies, and one of these should be the first point of contact for clients.
"Nobody gets turned away," David emphasised. "We'll point them in the right direction."
The volunteers are determined to eradicate any stigma around the use of food banks.
"You're only one bad decision from ending up using this place," David pointed out. "A proportion of our clients are folk that are working but Universal Credit has let them down – they're struggling to eat or heat, and they're sort of forced to come in here.
"And it's not just single folk, it's families. It's across the board – young folk, old folk. We've had 17-year-olds living on their own to pensioners.
"We're not the answer but we're here to give a helping hand. We're non-judgmental and confidentiality is our byword.
"We try to listen. And sometimes we're potentially the only point of contact they've got from one food parcel to the next.
"Speaking doesn't solve the problems but sometimes it makes it a little easier. We do care.
"There's still a stigma attached to food banks, as if you're coming to the poorhouse to get a handout. We try to make it an experience that you don't need to be embarrassed about."
Grant added: "Some of our clients, when they come in, all they need is somebody to speak to."
He gave the example of a man who was finding it difficult to cope after the death of a loved one: "He just didn't know what to do."
David explained: "We sat him down, gave him a cup of tea and talked him through the whole process, and you could see the weight lifting off him.
"He didn't know where to turn. He couldn't think rationally. Time costs nothing, so we try to be more than just a food bank.
"If you can help give a bit of humanity back... None of us are here looking for medals or anything like that. It's for the greater good.
"And there's enjoyment in it, the camaraderie in here between us all."
Grant: "At least you're doing something for somebody, to help them. We're all volunteers. Nobody is paid."
As well as food items in tins and packets, the food bank shelves contain other daily essentials such as nappies, toilet roll and washing-up liquid.
As part of the Trussell Trust network, Caithness Foodbank has received Christmas treats from Cadbury to give to clients, while the Scottish Book Trust has supplied new books for children and adults.
"We've got a small selection of gifts so that we can give something to folk that have nothing at Christmas," David said.
The charity has a tie-up with local animal welfare organisations Cats Protection and KWK9 Rescue.
David pointed out: "A lot of folk will put their pets first and go without."
Julia Dunnet was inspired to volunteer at the Wick centre having previously benefited personally from the service.
"I actually used the food bank seven or eight years ago, so that's why I came and volunteered," Julia said.
"We had absolutely nothing and somebody that was supporting us came and got us a great big family parcel. It was a godsend.
"I came in with donations last year and I thought, right, I want to volunteer."
- The Caithness Foodbank centres will be closed on Boxing Day and January 2 but there will be an emergency contact for referral agencies.
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- Noss kids make donations of food and cash to the needy in Wick this Christmas
- Charity cheques handed over by caring Newton Park pupils
- Big-hearted Wick three donate £4400 to charity
