Food in our communities

Worried about food? 

Don’t go hungry - we can help in a number of different ways.

The information below identifies a range of supports through the government, the Council and many community partners who are doing all they can to help ensure no one goes hungry.

If what you need isn’t here please give us a call on 01563 554400 and we’ll point you in the right direction.

Community food larders

Our community food larders are here to help you. Register with the larder then you can visit weekly. Friendly volunteers are ready to welcome you. 

Food larder locations

The number of community larders continues to grow across East Ayrshire. These are run by groups of local volunteers, with the help of donations from Fareshare, local supermarkets and the public.

1. Auchinleck Christian Fellowship
2. Crosshouse – Foodbank, Church Hall
3. Cumnock Juniors - Townhead Park
4. Dalrymple - White Horse Inn
5. Drongan - Community Centre
6. Kilmarnock - Council of Voluntary Organisations (CVO)
7. Kilmarnock - Corner Cupboard, London Road
8. Kilmarnock - Onthank NWKLEUS
9. Logan Day Centre
10. Muirkirk
11. Netherthird Community Centre
12. New Cumnock - Working Men’s Club
13. Newmilns - Loudoun Church Hall
14. Rankinston
15. Shortlees Primary School
16. Stewarton - Potters House Church

Find your nearest community larder and opening times.

Products available

Products will vary from Larder to Larder, but will generally include fresh, dry and tinned food items, sanitary products, toiletries and household cleaning items.

Membership and payment

Most larders operate on a membership basis, to help manage stock levels. For a small fee (usually £1) members can purchase essential items for a much reduced price. For example, four items for £1, maximum spend £10.  Each Larder will have its own arrangements for membership and payment.

East Ayrshire foodbanks

From Monday 23 March 2020, Ayrshire East Foodbank restricted its service and moved its main warehouse from Darvel to Kilmarnock.

Donations

Donations can be dropped at Open Doors, 13-15 Old Irvine Road, Kilmarnock, KA1 1DH. Open: Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm. Alternatively, a pick up can be arranged.

Someone will be there to take your donation but should the door be locked, the contact number will be posted on the door.

Please note for health and safety purposes all centres operate an appointment system.

If you would like to make a cash donation to the Foodbank please use these bank account details:

Bank: Royal Bank of Scotland
Account Name: CVO East Ayrshire Ltd
Sort Code: 834500
Account No: 00645364
Quote reference: AEFB2020

Foodbanks

• Crosshouse Church Hall, 25 Kilmarnock Rd, Crosshouse, Kilmarnock, KA2 0EZ.
  Open: Tuesday and Friday 12-3pm - Contact Janice Smyth, Tel: 07787 970341
• Cumnock and Doon Valley Community Routes, Unit 5, 46 Townhead Street, Cumnock, KA18 1LD.
  Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10.30am to 12 noon.
• Cumnock Foodbank Distribution Centre has moved for the moment from St Johns Church to Cumnock and Doon Valley Community Routes, Unit 5, 46 Townhead Street, Cumnock, KA18 1LD.
  Open: Monday, Wednesday and Friday 10.30am to 12 noon.
• Kilmarnock Foodbank Distribution Centre has also moved from St Matthews Church and Belford Mill to Open Doors, 11–15 Old Irvine Road, Kilmarnock, KA1 2BD.
• Open Doors, 13-15 Old Irvine Road, Kilmarnock, KA1 1DH.
  Open: Monday to Friday 9am to 4.30pm
• Our Wee Place in Shortlees, 15 Shortlees Crescent Kilmarnock, KA1 4PR.
  Open: Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 12 noon
• St Columbas Church, Lainshaw Street, Stewarton, KA3 5BU. Tuesday and Friday 4pm to 6pm
• The Zone Initiative in Dalmellington continues to support the Doon Valley area.

Delivery and pick-up service

East Ayrshire foodbank is moving towards a pick-up service where possible, except where circumstances means that a foodbank parcel delivery is needed.

Deliveries will continue in areas outwith the reach of the distribution centres. Staff are  working with partners in their more rural areas to increase local access and provision.

We are delivering to:

Extra deliveries will happen as and when required depending on when drivers are available. Saturday and Sunday deliveries may be introduced as demand increases.

When you contact us for a delivery you will be given a date and time slot (am or pm).

Accessing foodbank services

We are no longer using the red voucher system since many of our partners have reduced or closed their services and we anticipate a rise in the number of people who self-refer and who have not engaged with our services before.

We will continue to accept vouchers held by referral agents but have not issued any new vouchers since Monday 23 March. Referral agents should continue to refer people who engage with their services however we will move to a 'Direct Contact' system where requests for a foodbank parcel should be made using the following methods.

Collection of foodbank parcels

Collection of foodbank parcels now operates on an appointment system. Clients who have been referred in or who have self-referred will be given a date and time to attend.

It is important for the safety of our staff, volunteers and clients that people arrive at the allotted time and wear a face covering. Anyone arriving late may not be able to access the service.

For this reason we also ask that referrers do not send anyone to a Foodbank Centre without first contacting us for an appointment. We will always try to accommodate people in an emergency and we try to keep time at the end of the day to accommodate this. The safety of everyone concerned is paramount and we do not want to end up in a situation where we have excessive numbers of people queuing up to be seen.

Your co-operation is much appreciated.

Register

 When you register you will be:

• given a registration number
• asked to provide proof of your name and address
• asked to provide proof of parent/carer responsibilities on the first delivery if asking for food for children

As with many other services this is a new approach to delivery and we will review and amend this as the situation changes. We will also monitor demand on a weekly basis and increase our opening hours in the areas where demand is highest.

Please note times and dates may change depending upon demand and driver availability.

Contact the foodbank

If you need help from the foodbank, please contact:

• Email:  eastayrshirefoodbank@cvoea.co.uk
• Telephone: 01563 550951
• Facebook Private Message:  Ayrshire East Foodbank

Vibrant communities and resilience groups

Vibrant Communities have set up and are working with  Community Resilience Groups in East Ayrshire. These groups are supporting residents who need food, someone to go shopping, collect a prescription or just for general contact and support.

A community support fund has been created in response to COVID-19 and, to date, in excess of £250,000 has been issued to community groups within East Ayrshire to help get food and supplies to those individuals most in need.

Vibrant Communities/volunteers are available to support those self-isolating to gain access to support and food.

Local businesses delivering food

Many businesses from local companies to major supermarkets are continuing to support food deliveries, including prioritising vulnerable individuals and families.

Cooking at home

With everyone spending more time at home and with restaurants and many takeaways closed, you may be cooking at home more and want to learn some new recipes or just learn a bit more about the basics.

We have a variety of recipes and menu ideas and well as some helpful tips and booklets to download.

Menu ideas and recipes

Our Service Manager for Food and Catering has created video recipes for everyone to make at home and enjoy. See the video below and view more recipes on our YouTube channel.

Basic cooking information booklet

Download our Food Technology Information Booklet (PDF 4.34Mb) which includes advice on:

• food hygiene
• safety in the kitchen
• washing up
• kitchen equipment
• weighing and measuring
• cooking food
• eating a balanced diet

Good food skills

Education Scotland has created videos on how to develop good food skills. You can watch these below or visit their YouTube channel's Good Food Skills Playlist.

Useful links

• Registration for free school meals and clothing grants
• Trussell Trust – UK Foodbanks
• Financial help
• British Dietitians Association - Let's Get Cooking