UK Bill Help

Fife Council routinely refers clients who need extra help to one of the area food banks. This allows citizens without extra money to obtain the food their families so desperately need.

As is becoming more the norm throughout the UK, demand for aid from food pantries is booming. People of Fife are finding that many of the economic opportunities that sustained the region in the past simply are not there.

Benefit cuts and JSA sanctions are having such an impact on local families that they suddenly find themselves in the position where they have no money left to use for food purchases. Hundreds of people would go hungry every week if they did not have access to emergency donations that are collected by the charities and volunteers that run these food banks of Fife.

Benarty Food Bank distributes valuable food aid to people who are referred by one of several community organisations. Referring partners include Citizens Advice Fife, Fife Council, Frontline Fife, Health Visitors, Home Start, Jobcentre Plus and the Scottish Welfare Fund Team. Food parcels may be picked up by those holding a voucher that has been provided by one of these partners. The location is in the Crosshill Community Centre in Lochgelly, though BRAG Business Centre on Main Street has also expressed support. Since opening in early 2014, operations have expanded from one day to three days weekly.

Cowdenbeath Food Bank is one of the newest centres to come to Fife. The Fountain Meeting Rooms in Broad Street were set as the location where residents may pick up helpful donations. A call ahead is necessary to confirm times and days of operation.

The Trussell Trust was instrumental in opening Cupar Foodbank. This location is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Similar to other network affiliates, this centre requires that all recipients of aid first request help through a professional. Several agencies are able to provide vouchers to clients that can be redeemed for food. Referring agencies include Citizens Advice and Rights Fife (CARF), Cupar Social Work office, Fife Council, Fife Voluntary Action, Frontline Fife and North East Fife Credit Union. Clients may call Council Housing and social work on 03451 55 00 00 to get a referral. Residents may also call Welfare Fund Distribution on 0300 555 0265 to request a voucher. Cupar Foodbank is located on 21 St Catherine Street. Enquiries can be made on 07474 453153 where staff can confirm hours and additional referral partners.

Dunfermline Foodbank is a Trussell Trust partner that opens its doors every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Since the first opening in 2012, this location has distributed thousands of parcels to area households. These people were referred by social workers and doctors who felt that their clients needed additional assistance to balance their diets. This location is in Dickson House Centre on Dickson Street. It receives support from The Vine Church and other area churches and volunteers. Telephone enquiries may be made on 07580 231286. Satellite offices have also been established at the Inverkeithing Foodbank on Townhall Street and Rosyth Foodbank on Queensferry Road, on the site of the Parish Church.

East Neuk Foodbank is hosted by Anstruther Church on Crail Road. Volunteers have tried to make food pickups easier by distributing parcels from alternate locations, including the ENeRGI Cafe in St Monans named for the East Neuk Recovery Group Initiative. Referrals from community organisations or social workers are necessary. A list of referrers may be obtained by calling on 01333 659338.

YMCA and local churches collaborate to help Glenrothes Foodbank provide aid to area households. This organisation opens its doors on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons. The site is located on 2 Pentland Court, Saltire Centre in Glenrothes. Residents may call the office on 01592 631088 with enquiries, or they may call YMCA Glenrothes on 01592 612674 for days when the office is closed. The YMCA managed a smaller distribution centre for ten years prior to the creation of this coordinated service. As a Trussell Trust partner, this organisation meets the guidelines of the national network.

Kirkcaldy Foodbank opened 2013 as an independent community organisation and has already fed thousands of people. A voucher is required, which can be obtained by one of the referral partners. These include Christians Against Poverty, Citizens Advice and Rights, Kirkcaldy Social Work office, Scottish Welfare Fund plus area churches and housing associations. Vouchers may be redeemed at one of these distribution centres:

• Link Living on Mill Bridge Street
• Salvation Army on 125 High Street
• St Bryce Kirk on St Brycedale Avenue

Kirkcaldy Foodbank is administered by Dysart St Clair Parish Church. They have requested that any enquires be made by email on kirkcaldyfoodbank@gmail.com rather than telephone.

Levenmouth Foodbank is a local partner of the national Trussell Trust network. Parcels of food donations may be picked up on Monday and Friday in the early evening. Methil Evangelical Church on Bowling Green Street is the host of this distribution centre. Residents may confirm hours and obtain information on a referring partner by calling 07966 502 854. A referral is necessary, at which point a voucher can be issued to provide confirmation that clients have sought assistance with their overall financial situation.

Storehouse of NE Fife is a local charity that receives assistance from 12 churches of St Andrews. It is hosted by The Vineyard Centre on 62a Largo Road. All food parcels require a referral first from a community partner which will supply the vouchers necessary to pick up donated items. Referrals are commonly available through CARF St Andrews (0345 1400 095), Cupar Social Work office (01383 441177), Home4Good Housing Advice Centre (01334 659390), Scottish Welfare Fund (0300 555 0265) and Women’s Aid amongst others. Calls on 01334 47 49 40 to confirm current hours is strongly encouraged.

Each organisation centre has specific operating hours and days that may vary on a number of factors. These can include availability of volunteers, stocks of donated items and holidays.

Free hot meals are also available at these locations:

• Levin Toastie Club on Fourth Street, sponsored by Bethany Christian Trust.
• Toastie Club in Dunfermline, located on Viewfield Terrace.
• Y-Lunch at the Glenrothes YMCA on North Street.

In addition the Cupar Lighthouse Cafe on 63 Bonnygate offers low-cost meals.

Days and times can vary at each location. Social workers can confirm the availability for all clients.