Leader of Inverness and Area, Councillor Ian Brown, said: “The rising demands on the Blythswood Foodbank from people, including children, asking for help continues to increase as do the pressures of rising costs and running expenses on the charity.  

“This application before Councillors today is a stark reminder that many individuals and families need help in their cost of living crisis, and I am humbled that we have been able to provide this means of assistance.” 

Inverness Councillors agreed to re-allocate funding from the Inverness Winter Payments Scheme to the charity Blythswood Care that runs the food bank while noting that all current applications to the Inverness Common Good Fund for 2024/25 are closed due to oversubscription. 

Members agreed to the reallocation of funding due to the significance and importance of the work of the foodbank. 

Based in Glebe Street, Inverness, the foodbank provides emergency food supplies to local individuals facing financial crises. Clients come from a wide range of backgrounds, including people awaiting benefits, on low incomes, and those who have recently been made redundant. Food donations are sourced from local community members, businesses, churches and schools. 

Over 100 agencies, including for example the Highland Council’s Health and Social Care Service, Service Points, and Housing Services refer clients to the Foodbank. 

The £25,000 approved from Winter Payments Budget will help cover the running costs of the Inverness project at the Glebe Street Centre, which will provide critical support for Inverness residents facing severe hardship.