More than 2,000 people have signed a petition calling for a Glasgow charity to be saved.
The campaign is calling on health and social care chiefs to save Food Train Glasgow - a charity that provides services for older people who are no longer able to manage independently.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Health Secretary Humza Yousaf are also being urged to intervene with Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) to stave off the closure of Food Train in the city.
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The charity supports more than 400 over-65s across Glasgow, ensuring they do not go without food and meals through deliveries by its volunteers.
However, it has been plunged into financial crisis and faces closure within weeks after the lion's share of its funding provided by Glasgow City Council was cut last week.
Food Train has said the council suggested the HSCP as the most appropriate organisation to fund Food Train and met with HSCP staff. However, staff say no specific funding has been identified and they have received no response from the HSCP is responding.
The petition calls on the HSCP to find the funding needed to keep the Glasgow branch, based at Govanhill, open.
Food Train chief executive Michelle Carruthers said: “Our ask for support is about the lives of older people. We are deeply concerned for the health of the hundreds we support if our Glasgow branch is not saved.
“It’s a false economy for the health and social care partnership not to support us. Without Food Train, it’s they who will be left to pick up the tab for getting food and meals to those who need them - or for the additional NHS and care support they will need if they fall ill from becoming malnourished. Ours is a cost-effective way of providing critical services.
“To say that our members are fearful about how they will get the food they need to live is an understatement. We ensure they have the support they need. It would be criminal if they were put in danger of going hungry.
“When the NHS is working so hard to keep older people out of hospital, it makes no sense to remove a valuable strand of support for keeping them well at home.”
One Food Train member told volunteers: “Nobody can help me but Food Train. I would die. I wouldn’t have any food. I can’t get out, I can’t walk, I can’t carry. I’ve nobody in Glasgow. Not a soul!”
Another said: “Without Food Train delivering my shopping I will starve. I don’t mean to be dramatic, but I really can’t see any other outcome."
In a letter to the First Minister and Health Secretary, Ms Carruthers has urged them to raise the issue with the HSCP as Glasgow MSPs.
She wrote: “On behalf of our older members, your constituents, we urge you to intervene, to encourage Glasgow City Council and Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership to find alternative funding and secure food access for older people across the city.”
In the past 10 years, Food Train has made more than 67,000 grocery deliveries across Glasgow.
Food Train’s rejected funding application to Glasgow City Council was for a three-year package of support made up of:
2023/24 - £146,430
2024/25 - £148,714
2025/26 - £151,896
All Food Train members have access to befriending activities, including one-to-one home visits and group outings, as well as a low-level practical support service at home.
Demand on Food Train’s services across Glasgow rocketed by 70% at the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic as older people were forced to isolate in their own homes. They have remained consistently high since.
Volunteers with its shopping service - including that in Glasgow - take weekly grocery lists from members, collect their shopping in the supermarket and deliver them to their homes.
Councillor Christina Cannon, City Convener for Education, Communities and Equalities previously told Glasgow Live : “This has been a comprehensive, robust open and transparent process that has resulted in £50 million of grant funding being distributed to 235 organisations across the city to help our citizens and communities most in need.
“This is a huge investment in the third sector and organisations who will deliver a variety of support across the three main aims of the Glasgow Communities Fund (GCF) – equalities, arts and culture and supporting communities.
“We know that organisations who have not been recommend for grant funding will be disappointed and officers will be offering feedback and meaningful support around capacity building and financial advice on other sources of funding.
“This has been delivered to groups throughout the GCF funding period – with specialist help offered in the way of workshops and bespoke support to help organisations to become future proof.
“Unfortunately we do not have an infinite pot of money and we need to use the resources of the council – especially during these challenging, financial times – and use what we do have in the most supportive and effective way to meet the needs of Glaswegians and our communities.”
To view the Save Glasgow Food Train From Closure petition visit the website here: www.change.org/SaveGlasgowFoodTrain .
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