Call for food parcels supplies

The town’s branch of the Salvation Army is welcoming donations to give out as food parcels to those in need locally.
Their stocks have been dwindling and not being replenished and the group are keen to refill their shelves.
At last week’s Lockerbie Community Council, vice chairman Ronald Ritchie revealed his church, All Saint’s Episcopal, recently learned of the Salvation Army’s project and have begun a collection from their churchgoers.
Mr Ritchie said: “It came up at our agenda meeting at our church: we wanted to know if anybody was doing one.
“I found out that the Salvation Army were and when I went along she showed me the cupboard and said ‘it’s like Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard’.
“I went along with a big box and they were most grateful for it—the lady was over the moon.”
Many items have already been handed over to the Salvation Army and are available for those in need.
The collection is featured in their weekly pew sheets for people to bring along any non-perishable foods they can spare.
Captain Andrina Downie, a minister, explained they receive referrals for vulnerable people in need of parcels.
She said: “As a church, we make food available when people need it.
“People are generous and we thank those who give food to us, but a few more would be nice.”
Food that keeps is a must for the parcels and top of the list are things like tins, cereal and UHT milk.
However, they are mindful that sometimes people may not have the means to heat food and so ask for things that do not necessarily need to be cooked.
The shop is open Monday to Thursday from 10 am to 4 pm for donations to be handed in and there is a service on Sundays at 10.30 am.
All Saints Church also welcome donations which go to the Salvation Army via Mr Ritchie.