THE North Ayrshire Foodbank’s Friday “Pay what you can” session has moved to a Thursday afternoon.

It is no longer running from 6-8pm on the Friday but is instead on a Thursday from 4-6pm.

The foodbank, through its membership of Fareshare, has been making available on a donation basis, a range of fresh food items for people on low to no income.

Fareshare can never tell the foodbank what we can expect any one week as it varies but past food supplies have included bread, milk, fruits, vegetables, fish, various meats, yoghurts and fresh fruit juice.

Craig Crosthwaite from the foodbank told the Herald: “What we do know from our Fareshare records is that over 2017 the foodbank has distributed £24,500 worth of fresh food.

“What we also know for the future is that thanks to a generous offer of support from Asda foodbanks and others will be enabled to distribute more fresh fruit and vegetables. Although this has not started it is anticipated to be soon.

"The foodbank has moved from a Friday to a Thursday for two practical reasons. The first is that the food is collected from Fareshare on a Thursday morning and it reduces our issues about storage for the 24 hours when it was distributed on a Friday.

“The second is that we have one of our “Heat and Eat” sessions on a Thursday afternoon. Making Fareshare food available to supplement the food brought to “Heat and Eat” makes sense. “Both “Pay what you can” and “Heat and Eat” will be run at the same time, 4-6pm as noted earlier, and are open to all who feel that it wouldassist them to reduce their costs and maximise their capacity to heat their homes. No bookings are necessary. Simply turn up.

“We would be delighted to see you and you may wish to speak to our resident chef Darren Fisher from Garfield’s Tapas and Wine Bar.

“Darren is more than happy to discuss good ways to use any of the food from Fareshare in healthy and nutritional meals.”

If you are interested in cooking guidance then look out for further information on the soon to start “Cooks’ Corner” sessions where Darren will be hosting cooking skills sessions for people of all ages and skill levels.

If you would like further information on either Fareshare Food or “Heat and Eat”, please call into the Ardrossan Church of the Nazarene on 01294 601312 or drop an email to nafoodbank@btinternet. com.