All I want for Christmas ... busy time for Moray Food Plus

MORAY Food Plus has sent out a big message of thanks for local support in the run-up to a very hectic Christmas for the crisis organisation.

The support agency says it has been overwhelmed by the goodwill and generosity shown by nursery and schoolchildren, employees, businesses and organisations who have donated time, money and food items to assist local struggling families – in a year during which referrals have spiked.

As well as emergency food provision, Moray Food Plus runs community meals, lunch clubs, growing projects, and cooking sessions with children and families, as it moves away from the traditional food bank model.

Staff from the Elgin TSB branch handed over a cheque for £200 and a big box of food items to Moray Food Plus on Thursday, December 12 – one of many supporters this year. This month has seen donations from a long list of helpers including: St Sylvester’s Nursery, staff at Forres Academy, Children 1st, Dr Gray's Hospital staff, Moray Concert Brass, Slimming World Aberlour, Liberty Kids, Keith Grammar School, Walkers Shortbread, Howdens, 1st Buckie Company Boys' Brigade, Fochabers Cubs, The Galley in Lossiemouth, Forres Health Care Centre, Applegrove Health Centre, Veolia in Lossiemouth, Moray Deaf Church, Newmill Playgroup, Glen Grant Distillery staff, Torridon Education Group, Brodie Countryfare staff, Gordonstoun School, RBS Elgin, Aberlour Medical Practice, Hythehill and St Sylvester’s primaries, KEON Pipers, among many others.

Moray Food Plus ran a 12 Days of Christmas collection appeal from the start of December. The service works on a referrals basis and has seen an sharp increase in requests for its practical help this year. In the 2018-19 financial year the organisation received 1950 referrals for crisis support, supporting 4440 people – a 45% jump in the number of referrals.

Mairi McCallum, project manager at Moray Food Plus, said: "We have been overwhelmed by the number of donations this year.

"We have seen a lot more referrals over the year and we really appreciate this support from the Moray community."

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