A WEST Scotland politician has demanded answers from the Scottish Government over their rejection of funding for West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare.

Neil Bibby MSP urged the government and local businesses to show their support to ensure the group could keep going, warning their future was in doubt.

He said volunteers at the foodshare were told their application to the Fair Food Transformation Fund had been unsuccessful and the charity’s money could run out at the end of October.

About 110 people are supported through WDCF in Clydebank, Dumbarton and Alexandria and the charity has appealed for more supplies from the public.

Mr Bibby, who wrote to the cabinet secretary for communities, said: “WDCF does fantastic work in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in our communities and I want to thank the volunteers for all their hard work.

“The fact their application to the Scottish Government’s Fair Food Transformation Fund was rejected is extremely disappointing and could have serious consequences for the people who rely on the help that WDCF provides.

“I’ve written to the SNP Government to ask why their application was unsuccessful and what can be done to help WDCF obtain the funds they need to help families across West Dunbartonshire. I would also urge local businesses to offer any financial support they can in the short term.

“It’s vital that this valuable local service is maintained and I now hope that local support can help with the charity’s operating costs in the short term and that the SNP Government will offer meaningful support to secure long term funding.”

Earlier this month, trustee Clair Coyle said their funding would only last until the end of October.

She said: “We see this as very concerning. ver the summer months the levels of donations we have been receiving has fallen dramatically, and we are looking to increase/promote awareness within West Dunbartonshire and hopefully increase the donations of food.”

The group can be found on Facebook to offer support for their work.