Galashiels Inner Wheel Club secretary Moira Shanks, pictured left, a founder member of the town’s food bank, spoke to the club’s latest gathering about the project. She is seen with Susan Moore, another long-standing member.
After Captain Turner, from the Hawick Salvation Army, emailed churches in 2011 to ask for help in setting up food banks in Borders towns, Moira replied – and the Galashiels project began with food being stored in her garage. Banks are also located at Jedburgh, Selkirk, Duns, Kelso and Peebles.
After the first year referrals from agencies grew to the extent that help was required – and the Fellowship of Churches came on board.
All goods and money are by donation.
Since the welfare reforms there has been a 33 per cent increase in the number of food parcels requested in the Borders.
The club is holding a fundraising beetle drive on Saturday in St Peter’s Church, Galashiels, at 7pm.
The next meeting is on March 18 at 7.30pm where members will decided the recipients of charity money raised this year.