A TRANENT charity has been described as an “outstanding community service” for supporting those at risk of going hungry.

East Lothian Foodbank, on the town’s Civic Square, was set up in 2012 and is part of the Trussell Trust network.

Since opening, it has handed out more than 17,000 food parcels, with 259,900kg of donations feeding 23,679 adults and 14,376 children.

Craig Hoy, a South Scotland MSP and councillor for the Haddington and Lammermuir ward, visited the foodbank recently and saw first-hand the work being carried out.

He thanked everyone connected with the organisation for “all of the amazing support” they provided to people in the county.

Mr Hoy said: “Last year, the foodbank supported over 7,000 people, including nearly 3,000 children.

“It’s an outstanding community service which has been critical for many families in East Lothian during the Covid pandemic.”

Elaine Morrison, manager of East Lothian Foodbank, encouraged people to get in touch.

She said: “Over the next three years we’ll be working to implement our new strategy, continuing to work with, and for, our community to ensure that people without enough money for food are able to access emergency support whilst also exploring ways to reduce the need for our service.”