A Glasgow charity which delivers meal packs and recipes to vulnerable members of its community is urging people to stop panic-buying, as it extends its support to include nappies, baby food, toiletries and more.

Jackie Bole, the volunteer and driving force behind East End Flat Pack Meals, is calling on shoppers to think about the elderly and low income families before they leave supermarket shelves bare.

“There is huge panic amongst the elderly, many of whom live alone and have no family close by, as the coronavirus outbreak continues,” she said.

“People who are already struggling to make ends meet financially, such as single parents and low income families, are suffering too.

“We are worried we won’t be able to buy dry goods for our packs – I don’t think people understand the impact panic buying has on vulnerable people.”

She added: “It is with such heartbreak we are watching people affected by this.”

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East End Flat Pack Meals delivers up to 100 meals a week - in the summer holidays, it was distributing 154 a day, every day for four weeks. The charity also runs cooking demos and workshops.

Jackie, who prepares the packs and delivers them herself to local residents, nurseries, schools and other organisations who help people in need, adds: “We want to reach as many people in need as possible and we are looking for donations to create emergency packs for older people or those self-isolating who can no longer get out.

“Word is that baby food and nappies are hard to come by, and we are also looking for donations of soap and toiletries.”

Jackie is keen to hear from members of the east end community who have relatives or neighbours in need.

“If people get in touch with us we can start getting packs out as soon as possible,” adds Jackie.

“We are making large pots of soup to give out to the community for them to freeze or enjoy within a few days, too and people should be reassured that all our staff are trained to the highest standards in food and hygiene.”

Jackie said the response to her plea for help had been heartwarming over the past 24 hours.

“It has been fantastic,” she said.

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“We have reached out to other organisations in the area to see how we can work together to support local people. “

She added: “We will be closely monitoring the situation – we just want to help people in our community.”

For more information or to make a donation, contact the group through its Facebook page or by email on eastendflatpackmeals@gmail.com