Moray food assistance sources

The people of Moray who are struggling to put food on the table already know how difficult it is to manage the higher prices that are applying to nearly everything needed in the home. Donated food and aid services can ensure that families receive help with feeding their children as well as the adults that might otherwise skip a meal.

The organisation tasked with providing donations to local families is Community Food Moray. This food pantry collects the items that are donated by businesses and supermarkets, as well as those contributed by neighbours who care about the people they live around. Items are collected, sorted and stored by volunteers who will then distribute the aid directly to the families that request help with food.

This is not a drop in service. Community Food Moray has a system in place that makes sure that no one person becomes dependent on handouts to the point where they stop trying to improve their situation. A voucher is required before someone may pick up aid, and that voucher is redeemed for a parcel of food.

Each food hamper contains enough nutritional supplies to feed an averaged size family for three days. It may be possible for someone to receive more than one parcel, though they must provide multiple vouchers to do so. This does happen sometimes when a professional believes that additional aid is warranted.

Vouchers are provided by doctors and social workers. The Moray Citizens Advice Bureau also distributes vouchers to clients that visit the Elgin office on 30-32 Batchen Street. This is just a few doors up from the distribution centre located on 25 Batchen Street. A money advice surgery may be requested by calling CAB on 01343 550088. Enquiries with the food bank may be made on 01343 208 293.

The primary intent of the volunteers that operate Community Food Moray is to fulfill emergency food needs from local households. This includes those who have been made redundant, have experienced a financial emergency or who have been impacted by a benefits cut. Reductions in benefit payments has been identified as a major concern amongst local households who have seen their food budgets slashed.

This food bank is an affiliate of the national Trussell Trust charity. The voucher requirement is shared by all of its related entities.

One non-standard feature that allows Community Food Moray to stand out is the use of locally sourced fruits and vegetables that are sold through a related food market. A partnership with another charity known as REAP Scotland helps to connect growers with customers in Moray. This enterprise helps to fund operations and has the potential to provide additional high quality food items to supplement the regular servings of dry cereals and non-perishable items.

The Moray Council also is committed to stopping child hunger. Children of low income families will receive free meals at school and clothing grants. Income limits apply. Each family must register with the Council by calling on 01343 551374 or through email educationandsocialcare@moray.gov.uk.

Residents are urged to get help whenever they experience a crisis that leads to a food shortage in the home. They may find that other services can be helpful to address problems even while they receive immediate assistance with nutritional needs for the week.