During September a one-off fee of £1500 was provided to develop policies/procedures, register with Trusell Trust and initially set up a foodbank facility, which will be based in Benbecula and cover Uist, Barra, Eriskay and Vatersay.

The funding acted as a catalyst for additional funding from other sources, as well as ensuring the project becomes part of the Trussell Trust network, which is a nationally recognised charity.

The principal behind the operation of a foodbank is that every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons ranging from redundancy, illness, or receiving an unexpected bill whilst on a low income.

The foodbank provides a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people in need. Frontline care professionals are able to identify those in need and issue them with a food voucher.  Foodbank clients can take these vouchers to the foodbank where they can be redeemed for three days food.

Volunteers who meet with clients may also be able to signpost them to partner agencies who may be able to address longer term problems.

For further information please contact Mary Maclean, Fas Fallain Manager, on 01851 762014 or email marymaclean1@nhs.net