Buckie Salvation Army larder and warm space offering a hand up in hard times
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HELPING local people weather the storms of the cost of living crisis is at the heart of two initiatives being run by Buckie Salvation Army Corps.
Operating from the Corps hall on New Street in the town, every Tuesday from 11am to 2.30pm sees a food larder open its doors while on Wednesdays there is an invitation to all who need it to pop over to the warm bank between 11am and 3pm.
As well as providing a safe and warm place for those who may be experiencing difficulty heating their homes as energy prices continue to rocket, there is a chance to have some hot food and a chat.
Behind the schemes is Salvation Army Employment Development Co-ordinator Cara Kennie.
She said: "I'm here on Wednesdays anyway to hold my Job Club so I thought it would be a good idea to make as much use of the hall as possible during that time.
"The warm space started back in August and has been really popular, there's a diverse profile of people who are coming along.
"There're those on low incomes, people on benefits and older folk, we've got all types of people coming through the door.
"It's gone from helping people who're finding it difficult heating their homes to keep warm to helping them meet other people. With the cost of living crisis, there're a lot of people who can't afford to go out and meet friends so they can come here and have a cuppa, a chat and some food in a warm place for free.
"We've had a number of events at the warm bank, too including a Christmas meal and a budget family meal event. The social work team came along, as did Public Health Scotland and the adult learning team from Moray Council.
"Dave Chambers, who cooks the food for our warm bank days, did a demo on how to make four budget meals – everybody there got fed and got a food parcel as well.
"There's a YouTube page – Buckie budget food ideas – where Dave has posted a variety of recipes and other tips."
The food larder is a development from the food bank which previously operated from the hall. Registering to use the larder costs the nominal annual fee of £3 plus a weekly payment of £2.50, the money raised from this being used to replenish the food and toiletry stocks.
Ms Kennie continued: "The food larder is gaining publicity and is steadily getting busier.
"We're working with Buckie Community Hub who're signposting people to us although you don't need a reference, you can just walk in.
"Local supermarkets donate food to the larder and we get other donations, too. There's also been donations of blankets and warm items which people can take if they need.
"The £2.50 weekly fee gets you a lot of food and the larder can also give emergency food parcels for both single people and families if required.
"It's good for Buckie that we have something like this for the people that need it. While people are here I also try and see if there's anything else I can try and help them with. It's part of an holistic approach that is in line with the Salvation Army motto 'A hand up rather than a hand out'.
"We're very lucky to have a team of volunteers who're really passionate about what they do. Dave's wife Maria and Christine Allan have both provided key support with the warm bank, too.
"The way things are looking I'd anticipate an increase in the need for the food larder and the warm bank – it's going to get worse rather than better."
Keep up to date with these services and other Buckie Salvation Army news at the Corps' Facebook page.
