CUNNINGHAME Housing Association has made a £3,000 donation to North Ayrshire Foodbank.

The CHA Board of Management took the decision to support the community initiative as part of their vision of ‘Making Our Communities Better Places’ Since its launch in December 2012, the Ardrossan-based charity has distributed 2,880 food boxes, fed 3,596 adults and 1,651 children.

They have collected and distributed around 45 tonnes of food.

Looking at these statistics and assessing the current economic climate which sees more and more people struggle to make ends meet and put food on the table, the CHA board decided to act and support the Foodbank by donating £3,000.

The funding will further support the service so that it can continue to serve families in the local community forced into crisis by the rising cost of food and fuel resulting in people being unable to buy food.

All people who receive assistance from the Foodbank are referred by care professionals such as doctors, health visitors, social workers, CAB and police who issue the person with a Foodbank voucher.

The client then takes the voucher to the Foodbank Centre where it can be redeemed for three days emergency food.

Volunteers meet clients over a cup of tea or free hot meal and are able to signpost people to agencies able to solve the longer-term problem.

The North Ayrshire Foodbank also runs a rural delivery service, which takes emergency food boxes to clients living in rural areas who cannot afford to get into town.

Frank Sweeney, Chief Executive of Cunninghame Housing Association said: “The voluntary work and effort by the Foodbank volunteers deserves the funding support from CHA and it is hoped that this will help provide much needed help for families in our local community.” Craig Crosthwaite, from North Ayrshire Foodbank, said: “Asked what makes an organisation resilient I stated the belief that there was a need for three things.

"Somebody who sees a need, others who agree and join together to address that need with the third being those with funds to contribute to ensure it happens.

“North Ayrshire Foodbank appreciates this investment from Cunninghame Housing Association ensuring the 115 volunteers can go forward and help those facing a food crisis in our communities.