VOLUNTEERS aiming to make foodbanks redundant have thanked members of the public for their continued support.

Dunbar FoodShare was set up in 2014 as part of the Edinburgh City Mission’s Basic Bank Network.

Originally known as Dunbar Basics Bank, they became an independent foodbank in 2019 and changed the name to Dunbar FoodShare.

A spokesperson for the group outlined their objectives and told the Courier: “We aim to offer our clients dignity of choice, so we are now gradually moving away from the limiting concept of offering pre-packed bags of food to clients.

“We help our clients to access food and essential toiletries; this can be done through providing them with store cards and high street vouchers as well as still offering clients the opportunity to visit our stocked cabinets of food, toiletries, and cleaning products to choose what they need.”

The group is one of those being supported through the East Lothian Courier Foodbank Appeal, which launched last month.

East Lothian Courier: East Lothian Foodbank Appeal sponsors

Margaret Croft, of the group, was hopeful members of the public would get behind the initiative.

She said: “It is sad that we need foodbanks but I am finding we could not do it without the community.

“I’m sure they will all get behind it.

“A lot of people do not know that we exist and it is hard for people to admit they cannot cope.

“People say to me that you get free food.

“It is not free food – it comes at a cost to individuals and families that are struggling.

“It is not what you would call free food at all.”

The group’s “ultimate aim” is for foodbanks to become redundant.

However, they stressed there was still “a long way to go before that goal can be attained”.

For more information on Dunbar FoodShare, go to www.dunbarfoodshare.org