A rise in demand for community food services and increased energy costs have prompted a Dumfriesshire charity to open a fundraising shop.
Kate’s Kitchen operates from the Old Bank on Annan’s High Street, with the friendly staff and volunteer-run drop-in facility operating as a café each Tuesday and Thursday for those who need a hot meal.
It also provides meals on wheels as well as being an advice and information support hub, with arts and crafts and gardening activities.
Those in need can sign up for a weekly shop of 15 items – meat, fresh and frozen foods, tinned foods, pet food and toiletries – for just £5.
However, the cost of living crisis has seen a sharp rise in the number of people stepping forward for its meals and food parcels, putting extra demand on already stretched purse strings.
The charity relies on donations and grant-aid, which is becoming harder to access, so they put on their thinking caps to see how they could generate funds.
And the result is a new charity shop on the High Street – across the road from the Kate’s Kitchen HQ.
Manager Hazel Thompson said: “We are absolutely thrilled with it. It is doing well and we are delighted that people are popping in a buying items and also gifting things for us to sell. Every penny helps.”
A team of volunteers has also stepped forward to work in the shop, which is open Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.
Hazel said: “It is a way of bringing in the extra income we need to continue to provide our services and is a big step towards us becoming more self-sufficient.
“It is getting more and more expensive to meet our rising energy bills on top of the huge extra demand we are getting for our meals and food parcels. We are working hard to do what we can and are grateful to the businesses and people who help us in many ways. Now, we are asking people to come and support the charity shop.”
