​New scheme is based on a successful American model

A newly opened Glasgow church has suspended its foodbank in favour of providing regular community meals.

Now rather than getting a hand out of dried food and tins, people in need are being offered a hot dinner.

The new Church of Scotland kirk in Castlemilk opened its doors for a special service attended by more than 400 people.

Castlemilk minister Rev Sarah Brown says the new programme of community meals the church will be providing is central to its mission as a resource for the community.

She said: “We were providing an emergency foodbank for essential overnight supplies at our old church, but we’ve suspended that because we think helping people build relationships in the community is better than giving handouts.

“We want to restore people’s dignity and see them leaving full after a good meal, rather than eating until the bag is empty. Thanks to the Scottish Government grant from its Fair Food Transformation Fund we can give the community meals the best chance to succeed over the next 18 months.”

The church held its first community meal last Friday night. Around 35 people were treated to soup, pizza and pavlova prepared by members of the congregation in the building’s new kitchen, as well as enjoying live music while they were eating.

Rev Brown says the meals will now be a regular fixture: “We’re going to hold them on the first and third Fridays each month. We hope to make them weekly, and if they’re successful maybe more than that. Thanks to the grant we have the equipment, crockery and supplies to cater for up to 100 people at each sitting. The meals are for everyone in the community to attend, and we hope people will get behind them.”

The community meals are modelled on the Table Grace Café movement which has already been successful in the United States.

Diners are asked to donate what they can afford, be that a little, a lot, or just help with clearing up afterwards.

Rev Brown added: “I really believe in a hand up, rather than a hand out. Most of the supplies from foodbanks are tinned goods and I know if you’re struggling to afford to buy food, then heating it up is also an issue. We’re working in partnership with foodbanks in the area. I think the meals will grow through word of mouth because it takes a personal connection to bring people along rather than posters or leaflets.”

The Scottish Government has announced twenty-one projects to tackle food poverty are benefitting from over £900,000 through the new Fair Food Transformation Fund.

It seeks to reduce reliance on emergency food aid, by establishing more sustainable approaches to ensuring families can access healthy, nutritious food.

A number of other church supported projects are also among the recipients, including St Pauls Youth Forum in Blackhill, Glasgow, which has received £46,438 for its ‘Beyond Foodbank’ initiative, which is aiming to move away from emergency food provision.

It runs weekly gardening workshops for young people, and community meals where local people can learn how to make an affordable healthy meal from locally grown produce.