A COMMUNITY support scheme in Drumchapel says it’s been “inundated” with offers of help and supplies after food bank stocks began to run low.

Food, baby milk formula, nappies and women’s sanitary products were all beginning to run out at Drumchapel Foodbank before Tony Crawford, from the Drumchapel Covid Mutual Aid initiative, made an appeal on social media. And he described the response as “phenomenal”.

In particular, Tony singled out local diner and ice cream shop Papa Joe’s, on Dalsetter Avenue, for an offer to provide free hot meals at weekends for people who rely on the food bank, which is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

He told the Post struggling families worry about heating food as it uses up electricity.

Tony added: “The food bank has seen an increase in the number of people needing it and less donations lately for emergency products such as nappies, milk formula and sanitary towels.

“The shout out on Facebook received so many responses, but we also run a hot meal service on the weekend for the homeless, vulnerable, elderly and families who are in dire need.

“Papa Joe’s were phenomenal and offered to keep it up over the coming weeks.

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“I also received a text from Gary Tedford, one of the chefs at The Social in Glasgow – they will be making meals and soup to support the aid fund too.

“It’s really inspiring to know that when things get tough, we pull together.”

Last week, the diner’s hot meals fed more than 100 people who the Mutual Aid initiative had identified as vulnerable and in need of emergency support at the weekends – including people who are ill, disabled, elderly or struggling financially.

The meals are prepared in sanitised restaurant kitchens, delivered in line with government protocols, and supplied in microwaveable dishes, so they can be heated as they are needed.

A spokesperson for Papa Joe’s said: “We are a family-run business, still thriving thanks to the people of Drumchapel who have made us the success that we are.

“We fully understand that there are families and people who have not been as lucky and are living in poverty due to losing their jobs or waiting on government benefits.

“The least we could do was help Tony and the other volunteers out. They know who needs the help and our staff are only too glad to give back to the area.”

Donations can also be dropped off at the diner.