Foodbanks have been given a share of £30,000 from Inverclyde Council to help support struggling families this winter.

The council has awarded funding to several organisations to cope with increased demand and falling donations as a result of the cost of living crisis.

The i58 Project run by the Trussell Trust, also known as Inverclyde Foodbank, has been awarded £15,000 while Port Glasgow Church Angels and Branchton Community Centre will each receive £5,000.

A further £2,000 has been allocated to Port Glasgow Salvation Army with £3,000 set aside to support a range of other community food share organisations.

Councillor Stephen McCabe, leader of Inverclyde Council and convener of policy and resources, said: “While many families are struggling, local support groups are also struggling due to increased demand and fewer donations.

“We, as a council, recognise that and that’s why £30,000 is being distributed to local providers, including Inverclyde Foodbank, Port Glasgow Church Angels, Branchton Community Centre, and Port Glasgow Salvation Army.

“A lot of good work has taken place already to support some of our most vulnerable residents, particularly during the cold winter months, and this will hopefully go some way to helping these groups through the winter and, in turn, help some of our most vulnerable residents and families.”

It was one of a number of projects approved by the council’s policy and resources committee at a meeting on Tuesday 21 November 2023 as part of a winter support package worth more than £½ million.

Funding is being used by the council’s anti-poverty fund.