THOUSANDS of food parcels have been delivered to people in need in Glasgow's East End during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Brighter Baillieston Food Aid project has been "putting some smiles" on the faces of residents in Baillieston, Swinton, Garrowhill and Broomhouse.
Glasgow's Lord Provost Philip Braat visited the volunteers, who have now handed out 1325 bags of food, on Monday to find out more about the scheme and help with packing the donations.
The campaign has received £10,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund and over £31,000 from the Scottish Government's communities fund, as well as a grant from Glasgow City Council.
It started when Sharon Hammack, whose business Promo Printing came to a standstill due to the pandemic, joined forces with Stephen Love, chairman of community group Brighter Baillieston, to provide "much needed" food parcels to communities.
Sharon has praised the "great response" of the community which donated food and contributed to a Go Fund Me campaign which has raised almost £2000 since the project begin in early April.
"We have also had a great response from volunteers," she said. "Our initial aim was to get Food Aid known in the community, so our volunteers delivered leaflets explaining about Food Aid with a contact number.
"We felt this was a must and the only way we would be guaranteed to make contact with every resident within the four communities – and within the week all houses had our leaflet.
"Food Aid is definitely putting some smiles on our residents' faces."
Father Devlin, of St Bridget's, Baillieston, has allowed the group to use the chapel to run the scheme. "This allowed us to be able to bring this service to our area straightaway," Sharon added.
They have also received support from Glasgow councillor Elaine Ballantyne and local police officers while local businesses, including supermarkets, have made donations.
"Everyone has got on board and supported the community," Sharon said, adding regular volunteers now make up bags of food daily, which are then delivered by drivers to residents who need them.
They are also offering personal shopping for residents who can't leave the house.
More information can be found on Facebook at Brighter Baillieston Food Aid.
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