Local bus operator First Glasgow has donated free bus journeys to the Glasgow North East Foodbank, which helps provide access to vital supplies for some of the city’s hardest hit families over the festive period.
The operator has been in recent dialogue with the Glasgow North East Foodbank, which also acts as a central hub for a further four foodbank locations across the north and east of the city, which said help to provide access to these key local charity centres is vital this festive period.
A lot of families who need to access foodbanks this Christmas often struggle to afford the transport to get to the centre as the harrowing effects of the global pandemic starts to hit home, and so First Glasgow has stepped in to do its bit and provide free travel with an initial 100 journeys along with the pledge of further support when required.
First Glasgow Commercial Director Graeme Macfarlan said: “We want to make it as easy as possible for people who need to access foodbanks during these unprecedented times and especially over the festive period.
“The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic are really starting to take hold and so we are determined to do all we can to help. There will be so many families across the city who might need the help of foodbanks this year and so if we can make their lives that little bit easier by supporting such a fantastic local cause like the Glasgow North East Foodbank then we are delighted to be able to do that.
“We wish all of our customers a very happy and safe festive period, and thank them for their understanding, patience and support over the past year whilst we have continued to deliver essential journeys.”
Linda Stuart, Project Manager at Glasgow North East Foodbank, said: “Many people who attend our foodbank, don’t live within walking distance and are unable to afford the journey to get to us.
“When you then have to walk home with bags of shopping that adds a burden to an already difficult situation. Not everyone who attends is physically able to carry heavy shopping bags for what might be quite a long way.
“The generosity of First Bus will mean that we are able, when appropriate, to give people a bus token to get them home safely and remove one more barrier to people being able to eat. We would like to thank David Linden MP for putting us in touch with each other and for all of his assistance.”
