AN AMBITIOUS winter campaign has been launched by East Lothian Foodbank in the run-up to Christmas, focusing on hope and the magic of the season.

The team has set targets of raising £10,000 and collecting donations totalling 10,000 kilograms.

Lisa McCart, volunteer and warehouse manager, described the announcement of the appeal as “the launch of Christmas”.

She said: “We’ve changed it up this year. It’s still a difficult time, but we’re trying to focus more on the hope.

“We’re hoping to tap into the magic of Christmas.”

New figures released on Wednesday revealed that 6,414 emergency food parcels were provided to people facing hardship across East Lothian between April 1 and September 30 this year, 2,279 of them to children.

READ MORE: East Lothian Foodbank saw its busiest year yet in 2023/24

The foodbank, which is based at Civic Square, Tranent, is calling on the public to help reach these new targets '10 to 10' and play their part to meet this urgent need.

There a wide range of ways to lend support, including volunteering, donating, fundraising or campaigning to help end hunger in the UK.  

A call has been put out to East Lothian Foodbank Supporters (ELFS) to back the appeal.

Non-perishable food items including tinned goods, hot drinks, biscuits and cupboard essentials can be dropped off at several shops and libraries throughout East Lothian.

The foodbank has a full wishlist of items on its website.

Elaine Morrison, foodbank manager, said: “Just as Santa would struggle without his elves, we wouldn’t be able to do anything without our East Lothian Foodbank Supporters.

“Your donations mean that we've provided 73,000 meals since January 2024.

“People in our community are still going hungry, and this winter will be harder than the last.”

Alongside donations of food items, the service offers hope, dignity and relief to people facing hardship, and vital funds are needed for this.

It is looking to raise £10,000 to continue offering advice and support that helps lift people out of financial hardship, which is essential in tackling the root causes of poverty and hardship.

Elaine added: “It’s important that we do not lose sight of the fact that behind these numbers is someone in our community facing hardship; one person needing our support is one too many.

“We know from speaking to our foodbank community that, every day, people are having to make hard choices to enable them to just survive. They do not have enough money to live on, even with financial support and advice.

“This isn’t right. Everyone deserves the right to thrive.

“Foodbanks are not the solution to hunger. We need a social security system which is there when we need it most, but right now it’s not providing enough to cover the cost of life’s essentials and it’s pushing people to foodbanks.”

READ MORE: Foodbank use in East Lothian up 99 per cent in three years

East Lothian Foodbank, which has been providing emergency food and support to local people since 2012, is currently the fifth busiest in Scotland.

The foodbank recently carried out a survey to measure the difference being made and to find our how it could offer further support to struggling families.

One response to the question ‘what changes have you made to help manage essential costs’ read: “I’ve had to prioritise my daughter’s food and milk over mine.

Another said: “I feel very isolated, unable to plan or attend anything social; unable to get haircut, buy birthday presents, attend family weddings etc.”

A second question asked: ‘How did you feel when you were put in touch with the foodbank?’

A response from one individual said: "A bit of breathing space and a bit of the weight off my shoulders", while another said they were “relieved”.

The foodbank has continued its awareness campaigning and calls for donations year-round, and efforts have ramped up already this season.

In November, a ‘reverse Advent calendar’ was launched, which flips the traditional concept by asking people to give gifts instead of receiving them.

READ MORE: East Lothian Foodbank launched reverse Advent calendar

Behind each door is a suggestion of items to donate or other things to do to help support the winter appeal, as well as ideas to “spread some festive love and joy” in the local community.

As part of the new campaign, a call has also been made to local businesses, hoping to help the contributions stretch even further by match-funding public donations.

Lisa added: “ELFS do more than just help Santa. The foodbank are hoping to bring a Christmas miracle.”

Paul McLennan, East Lothian's MSP, backed the campaign, saying: "I am honoured to give my support to East Lothian Foodbank's 2024 Christmas campaign. 

"Raising £10,000 and collecting 10,000kg of donations may be an ambitious goal, but it is also an eye-opening goal. It shows the reality of support needed across East Lothian this winter.

"If you are in the position where you can support this campaign, please do not hesitate." 

Douglas Alexander, Lothian East MP, added: “East Lothian Foodbank is an outstanding local charity that undertakes vital work helping local people experiencing food insecurity and poverty.

"While I certainly support the foodbank’s Christmas campaign and wish them every success with meeting their targets, it is heartbreaking that so many local families are still struggling to put food on the table, especially at this time of year.

"The increasing reliance on emergency food parcels cannot be allowed to continue indefinitely.”