The organiser of the vital service to families caught up in the cost-of-living crisis has thanked the Kilwinning man who organised a highly successful concert to help them.
Father-of-10, Michael Kirkum, recently hosted the Cranberry Jam in Cranberry Moss Community Centre, with top talent from across the community hitting the high notes.
In all, an impressive £1,606 (1,700 items of food) was secured and was used to stock up Cranberry’s Community Larder.
Larder volunteer Linzi Bingham was encouraged with the effort and admits the service is much-needed.
The Pennyburn Community Association chairperson said: “Michael approached us to see if he could organise the concert and we gave him the space to let him do it.
“It was a good effort by all involved and Michael delivered the food to the centre.
“We solely rely on funding and we get a lot of support from local businesses, churches, the local primary schools and Kilwinning Academy, everyone chips in as much as they can when they can.
“He has soups, pasta, rice, potatoes and fruit and veg so that has stocked our back stockroom but it might only last four weeks.
“We get donations when people can afford it but don’t ask them because of the cost of living.”
“We apply for funding which is now a bit more difficult to get. At the beginning of Covid they they were throwing money at you, now it is stricter.”
The Larder is part of the Fairer Food Network, one of 14 larder across North Ayrshire.
“We let people access food with dignity and we charge a membership of £4 a time and for that you get £15 worth of groceries to help with your shopping.
“The £4 is put right back into the larder.
“The SNP Administration put £500,000 aside for the Fairer Food Network when they were elected last year.
“It costs £800 a week to stock the larder and we bring in £200 so it is always in a deficit.
“There are 64 households a week using it on an appointment system and we have 324 members on our books. We get end-of-day stuff, like bread, cakes, flowers and potatoes from three supermarkets that would normally be thrown out but it is given free to people using the food larder.
“Any support at all is absolutely fantastic.”
Michael added: “It was all worth it. This will last a month and help so many families who are having to choose between heating and eating.
“The cost of living crisis is affecting us all, some more than others, so to help the most in need is all worthwhile.”
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