A newly-opened foodbank has already helped more than 1,000 people in just four months – making it the busiest one in the region.
Peterhead Foodbank Centre opened in June, although will be officially launched today.
Already 300 food parcel vouchers have been issued, giving support to an estimated 435 adults and 606 children referred by organisations such as Citizens Advice Scotland.
Now Aberdeenshire North Foodbank has claimed people are in “crisis” in the town.
Debbie Rennie, the Skelton Street site’s manager, said the fact the facility is needed in the first place is a sad indictiment on the poverty in the town.
“Peterhead is already the busiest foodbank in Aberdeenshire due to benefit changes, delays in getting benefits and low income,” she said.
“We’ve provided for 435 adults and 606 children, which although some could be the same person collecting more than once, makes us really busy.”
The centre will be formally opened today at 12.30pm by a group of teens taking part in the Young Philanthropy Initiative at Peterhead Academy.
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As a group they are raising funds for the centre.
Ms Rennie said she had mixed feelings about the launch, adding: “It’s good we can celebrate the good work people in Peterhead are doing but the hope is that people won’t need food banks so I don’t feel too excited launching it.
“There’s not much to celebrate in terms of it being opened because there are people in crisis.
“It will be good that people will know they can access packages and we can work together with our referral partners to get people the right help.”
Peterhead Foodbank Centre will continue to open on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 11am to 1pm.
Donations are accepted on those days as well as in Morrisons, Peterhead Library and Santander Bank.
Distribution centre coordinator Sonya Cordiner said she was looking forward to seeing who will attend the opening as the community support has been heartwarming.
She said: “We have had donations from church groups, nurseries, childminders and schools.
“Pupils from the primary school and nurseries might be coming to the launch as well as locals from the church.
“It will be good to see what people think of how we’ve set the place up – hopefully it’s inviting and people feel comfortable when they walk in.
“I’m still finding my feet but I’m looking forward to getting feedback, getting us out there and help those who need it by bringing in more donations.”
