Community Food Initiatives North East (CFINE) has received a £750 donation from CALA Homes (North) which will be used to purchase supplies for its food bank.
The charity supports more than 5,000 disadvantaged, vulnerable, families and communities in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.
CFINE is one of 11 community groups, charities and local organisations in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire which will receive a share of the housebuilder’s £10,000 community bursary this year.
The sum will be used to purchase sanitary products for the food bank and will also contribute towards the charity’s support and training programmes.
Dave Simmers, CEO at Community Food Initiatives North East, said: “We applied for a share of CALA’s community bursary to help us respond to the ever increasing demand on our food bank.
“We handed out 10,000 parcels in 2016 and we expect this will rise to more than 12,000 this year.
“We also aim to try to help beneficiaries address their issues, including financial capability and education, so that they do not need to use our food bank. CFINE recruits food bank users as volunteers, supporting around 250 volunteers annually, which builds their confidence and self-esteem, improves skills, and creates social networks.”
Emma Gelati, marketing manager at CALA Homes (North), visited CFINE to chat to staff and officially present the charity with the donation.
She said: “CFINE provides a wonderful service to so many people in our community, offering vital supplies and a chance to develop their skills as a volunteer.
“As demand for parcels from its food bank continues to increase, we were delighted to help replenish stocks to enable CFINE to provide essential items that the majority of us take for granted.”
Other successful community bursary applicants include 17th Aberdeen Scout Group, Seaton Community Church, Pitscurry Day Service, SensationALL, GCRA Ltd, Sunrise Partnership, Alzheimer Scotland, Aberdeen Riding Club, CHAS, and Aberdeen Science Centre.