West Lothian food network as 'vital as ever' as it secures charity status

dailyrecord.co.uk:

West Lothian's Food Network has achieved the "milestone" of full charitable status four years after its set up on the cusp of the Covid pandemic.The group of food charities helped more than 73,000 people last year and another 22,000 between April and June.The Network has also helped cement social ties and sustain communities in the cost of living crisis.The Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to two groups which provide food and other practical help, in Knightsridge, northern Livingston and in the village of Addiewell, near West Calder.In Knightsridge, Livingston, co-ordinator Julie Henderson said: "The people make it.

This has brought the community together."More working people are in poverty. Julie has customers who work in supermarkets do their shopping at the Vennie Outlet because it's more affordable.The Vennie Food Outlet began operating long before the Covid outbreak and is one of the founding groups of the Network.The Vennie relies on donations; it was one of the first groups in the area to receive regular donations from the Cyrenians.

They also have donations handed in.Julie explained: " We have a pensioner who comes in each week with two bags of shopping for us.

People are not less needy."It's never quiet. Opening two mornings a week volunteers get there for nine o'clock to set up. A long central table holds the fresh fruit and veg as well as the day's bread.