A FOOD bank in Dumfries is ready to distribute 1000 portions of scotch broth, along with 1600 pies and rolls, from six locations across the county after a huge community effort and a constant badgering of the local council.

The First Base Agency food bank at Summerhill has set up a distribution network across Dumfries and Galloway, including Castle Douglas, Kelloholm, Annan, a volunteer’s garage in Lockerbie, and Moffat Town Hall.

Each location has been linked up with groups of volunteers who have come together in recent days.

Mark Frankland, the author, blogger and New Scot who runs First Base, said some “brilliant people” had stepped up to the plate to help arrange distribution of the food parcels.

“The volunteers at the Summerhill Community Centre have produced almost 1000 portions of scotch broth, The Little Bakery in Dumfries has provided 800 pies and a similar number of bread rolls, Irvings Bakery in Castle Douglas is selling us hundreds of packets of biscuits at cost price, and the tab is being picked up by the Castle Douglas Development Forum,” said Frankland.

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He said they had been in constant talks with the council over a hotline for people to call if they need help from the food bank.

The line is available to members of the public and a variety of support workers, including social work, agencies for homeless people, health visitors, home carers and police. Names and addresses will be split up into the six areas every afternoon and food will be delivered the next day.

Frankland praised some of those who had come forward to help: “The two ladies in the village of Sanquhar who put together a list of 50 volunteers over the course of a weekend, who are willing to deliver food or prescriptions or to call up those who are isolated and quarantined for a chat.

“In two days flat they managed to put a letter through every letter box in the village with phone numbers and offers of help. Two days. Impressive.

“Neil at The Mad Hatter Cafe in Castle Douglas. Like millions of cafes across the world, Neil had no choice but to close his doors. Soul destroying. Frightening.

“He could have gone home to sulk at the unfairness of life, but he didn’t. Instead he called us up. ‘Hey guys. Once upon a time I was an army chef. If you want someone to knock out scotch broth portions by the 500, then I’ve been there and done that’.”

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Frankland also mentioned Sharon, who sent him a message on Facebook: “Hey Mark. I’m a fitness instructor, or should I say I was a fitness instructor till all this sh*t hit the fan. I will be doing online classes and folk have been wanting to pay me for these classes. I would like to donate any money taken to yourself at First Base.”

He added: “Thankfully it is clear there are a whole bunch of great people like Sharon who are ready and willing to do what it takes to get us all through this bloody nightmare. Proud to be Scottish, or New Scottish in my case? You bet I am.”

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