West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare organised a get together to mark five years of hard work by their volunteers.

The event, which was held at their main unit at Leven Valley Enterprise Centre last week, was attended by more than 35 volunteers and others such as councillors Karen Conaghan and David McBride who came along for an afternoon and early evening of tea, coffee and cake.

Foodshare supports families and individuals on the breadline who would otherwise go without food, and relies on the help of about 60 volunteers at their main unit and distribution centres at Radnor Park Parish Church hall in Clydebank, and Alexandria Community Centre, and Dumbarton’s Concord Centre.

Clair Coyle, one of the organisation’s trustees, said: “When Foodshare was set up we never expected it to be going five years later. We thought a year at most.

“Now it has never been busier. There are lots more people [using it] and we have introduced new projects.

“Today is more about recognition for all the support the community has given us and all the donations that come in. It is to say thanks to all the volunteers for the work they have put in over the the last five years.

“It’s not a celebration though and it’s not just recognition for everyone involved in Foodshare but all who donated – without them we would not be here.

“We are hoping it comes to the point when it’s not needed any more. When we do things like a Christmas appeal or the school uniform appeal in the summer, the amount of support we get is very, very good and shows great community spirit from individuals and residents to work places.”

“As a group we would like to just thank everyone for the support they give us.”

In 2016/2017 the number of people in West Dunbartonshire supported by the organisation increased by 22 per cent increase and it is estimated that they distribute about £150,000 worth of food a year – half of it donations, and half surplus food from shops.

Ensuring that all this food gets to those in need, could not be achieved without the help of the hard-working volunteers, many of whom such as Margaret Donnelly, Margaret McCallion and Izzy Dolan, have been doing so regularly on a regular basis for many years.

George Kirpatrick, chair of the board of trustees said: “We are fortunate some volunteers have been with us for five years.

“Today is recognising the tremendous support we have had for five years in West Dunbartonshire. It is not a celebration, it is for the volunteers. It’s been hard going and we should not have to be here.”

Foodshare’s youngest volunteer is 14-year-old Rona Polding, who has been helping out for about three years after her dad got involved. She urged others to come along and help out.

The S3 Vale of Leven Academy pupil said: “I got involved to give it a try. You get to meet people you would not have met before.

“It is really rewarding helping people. I love it.”

The organisation has been shortlisted for funding for its cooking and growing and is set to benefit from a grant of either £2,500, £7,500 or £15,000 to be announced at the end of April.

In February the organisation also benefitted from the latest round of the council’s community budgeting scheme after applying for a grant of £5,000 to turn their van into a transportable refrigeration unit.