The founder of Old Kilpatrick’s first foodbank and community cafe has thanked the charity’s volunteers, as it marks its third anniversary.
Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels (OKFP) was set up by Maureen Cummings and husband Gordon in May 2020 - just weeks after the country had been plunged into a strict lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the world turned on its head, Maureen and Gordon launched OKFP from home - initially picking up prescriptions and essential supplies for people unable to leave their home.
They expanded to a foodbank - and having initially provided food to 18 people on their first week in operation, the charity has now handed out more than 27,500 food parcels - with over 120 volunteers helping.
Earlier this year OFKP also launched a new takeaway at The Saltings, working in tandem with their existing Chatty Cafe - which acts as a heat hub in the winter, and aims to bring the community together in a safe, friendly and caring environment.
Maureen said: “Our volunteers have had challenging times, but I take my hat off to them. They always think ‘what must be going on in this person’s life’.
“We’re so blessed with the people we have in the charity. We’ve had over 120 volunteers since we started. They are part of our family.
“At the very beginning a lot of us couldn’t see our own families so we chose our bubbles to be with each other.
“Our volunteers, in that first year, were risking their own health every single day we decided to open up.
“There would be no OKFP if it wasn’t for volunteers. In the beginning all we had were kind-hearted people who were willing to take a risk to help others.
“Some of those volunteers have been with us since the beginning. Others have been here for just weeks. It’s so nice when people see the photos from the early days and say that they had no idea OKFP started in a front garden during the lockdown.”
Maureen says the charity’s ethos hasn’t changed since that first day in May, adding that she’s determined to make something positive out of a traumatic times.
“We were born out of one of the biggest tragedies our generation has ever seen” she continued.
“In the middle of all the grief and destruction we were there with our rainbows, our bunting and our smiley faces making people smile, making people feel wanted and making people feel heard. All of which was really important.
“I can’t believe that it’s been three years. But on the other hand it feels like the blink of an eye.
“We are a very positive charity and we’re determined to make the best out of a doom and gloom situation. Whatever that might be.
“We’re faced with a lot of traumas or difficulties every day by most of the people who visit our premises. But our goal is the same each day. And it has been since we started: Let’s try and make people smile.
“It’s not always easy. Sometimes people with things going on at home can be difficult or challenging, but it’s about maintaining composure and knowing that people can lose their temper because something is going wrong in their lives.
“Sometimes a wee smile and a cup of tea and blether can help out.”
And Maureen is proud of what the charity has achieved, supporting the most vulnerable in society during a challenging three years.
She added: “We pride ourselves on never saying no to giving someone food. More than 27,500 people have received food from us since May 6 2020. That’s people who have needed food parcels or from the pantry.
“Not people who have eaten in the cafe or the takeaway. It doesn’t include volunteers who offered their services for food, or people who we delivered to because they were shielding.
“It’s a very unique thing we’ve created out of a very unique situation. And it’s made us a very unique family.”
For more information visit OKFP.org.uk.
