Box clever this October and get on-board with Food Train

Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire residents can directly support older people in the region by sponsoring boxes which carry lifeline shopping deliveries to over-65s in their homes

Food Train has launched a fundraising drive across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire amid deepening concerns about the impact of the cost of living crisis on older people.

Throughout this month, its BOXtober campaign will give people across the regions the opportunity to sponsor the boxes which carry essential groceries delivered to those who would otherwise struggle.

A £10 donation will sponsor a box for 12 months.

The initiative comes as research by the older people’s charity of its members across Scotland found that: 

• 57% of those questioned have changed their eating habits due to the cost of living crisis – including some who have cut back on the amount of food they are buying.
• 51% have changed the way they heat their homes to cut their bills because of rising energy costs.
• 42% have done both.

BOXtober also highlights the financial challenges that Food Train faces in keeping its life-improving services on-track, from maintaining its fleet of vans to ensuring volunteers receive all the support they need to carry out their lifeline work.

The charity helps people aged 65 and over to eat well and live well in their own homes through their shopping delivery, meal making and befriending services.

All money raised locally through BOXtober will go directly towards supporting older people in the regions.

Emma Black, Food Train’s National Fundraising and Marketing Manager, said: “Getting behind our BOXtober campaign is a simple way to help us make a remarkable difference to the lives of older people across Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire.

“By doing so, you are helping to ensure our members can live better, independent lives in their own homes because they have access to food, a nutritious diet and can enjoy great company from our valued volunteers.

“The rising cost of living is causing undoubted challenges for our older people. The fact that more than half of older people are changing their eating habits as a result is a real concern.

“It’s times like these which highlight the critical need for services such as ours. But we are facing increased costs too. Sponsoring a box helps to manage those and ensure that the people locally who need our support can get it.”

Food Train works with about 3,000 people aged 65 and over across Scotland to help them eat well and live well in their own homes, tackling malnutrition and loneliness through shopping and meal-sharing services, along with other projects.

To support the BOXtober campaign – or for more details – go to https://thefoodtrain.co.uk/box-sponsor.