Martin Whitfield MSP has joined other East Lothian Foodbank volunteers in helping at the local charity’s Tesco Winter Food Collection which takes place in partnership with the Trussell Trust.
Mr Whitfield, who was joined by Cllr Brooke Ritchie, undertook a shift in the Haddington store encouraging shoppers to consider buying an extra item (or few extra if possible) to pop into the Foodbank’s collection box and contribute to its food stores going into next year.
The collections, which are held over three days, are a mainstay of the charity’s food donations and help ensure it has sufficient supplies through the especially busy winter period.
Martin Whitfield MSP said:
“I’ve always supported the crucially important work of East Lothian Foodbank and, with the cost-of-living crisis driving more people into food poverty, these Tesco collections are more important than ever for topping up its supplies.
“The East Lothian public have been incredibly generous over the years and their contributions of food and money have helped to ensure that the Foodbank has a sufficient amount of staple items to meet the increasing demand for food parcels.
“Of course, it is shameful that foodbanks should be needed in Twenty-first century Scotland, and that more people than ever are using them. But, as long as the demand for assistance remains, I will continue to do what I can to support the foodbank.”