Dozens to give up food as feed or fight campaign is launched
A hunger strike is to be staged outside a JobCentre in response to rising numbers of families being forced to rely on foodbanks.
Dozens of people have vowed to take part in what’s being billed as a “hunger vigil” outside the JobCentre in Kilbowie Road, Clydebank, this Friday (21 August).
Organised by West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare (WDCF) and Clydebank’s Independent Resource Centre (IRC), the organisations have put out a call to arms for people to join them for the eight hour protest which begins at 9am.
A food collection will also be held by WDCF which hosts a weekly food share for people on low income.
Danny McCafferty, chairman of Clydebank’s Independent Resource Centre, said: “This is a feed and fight approach. The IRC will spearhead the demonstration against the political cause, while WDFC will, at the same time, protect people who experience hunger.
They are forcing people into poverty, and that is what we are standing against - Danny McCafferty
“The political cause is the Conservative’s hard-line sanctioning regime and cuts to welfare like tax credits and housing benefits. They are forcing people into poverty, and that is what we are standing against on Friday.”
He added: “The hunger vigil is both community led and community based so we appeal to the people of Clydebank to come and show solidarity with the people affected by welfare reform by the UK government.”
Stuart Dunsmore, secretary of WDFC, added: “West Dunbartonshire Community Foodshare is going to be involved in this hunger vigil for two main reasons - to play our part in alleviating the problem of people going hungry and to make sure the voice of the affected people is heard.
“This problem isn’t going away, a growing number of people are having to come to the food share in Clydebank, as well as across the wider region.
“While the IRC is looking at it from a political perspective, WDCF is going to be looking at the feeding side of this and raising awareness of the rising poverty in Clydebank.”
