The petition is necessary because people in Glasgow and elsewhere are going hungry. Particularly in our community. Govan is one of the poorest areas in Scotland. The response has been overwhelming but it is not enough. I feel it has now reached the point where the Scottish Government has to use its resources to alleviate the problem.
The Steering Gorup of Glasgow South West food bank (charity no. SC45121) has estimated that it would need around £1,000 per week to meet the demand of its four food banks across Glasgow South West. If the situation is desperate in our community, we assume others are facing a similar struggle.
I have also been made aware that the Scottish Government created an Emergency Food Fund last year, which is now closed. With the food bank problem developing into a crisis, I would suggest the programme reopens.
I and other volunteers have been creating food collections in our local area of Govan to help our local food bank, Glasgow South West food bank, meet demand. Recently, the Glasgow SW food bank has been running out of supplies and at points are having to turn hungry people away. Despite our food collections and donations from other sources, the community is now at the point that it is struggling to meet the demand on food banks.
This is why we are calling on the Scottish Government to use their underspend or increase tax by 1p to help stem this developing crisis before it worsens. The Steering Gorup of Glasgow South West food bank (charity no. SC45121) has estimated that it would need around £1,000 per week to meet the demand of its four food banks across Glasgow South West. If the situation is desparate in our community, we assume others are facing a similar struggle.
With an estimated £12bn of welfare cuts expected in the next 5 years, we fear the situaiton will worsen. That is why we are asking the Scottish Government to use its resources and help feed its citizens. As highlighted, we have reached the point where the community can no longer meet the demand.
These would be examples of 'progressive' policies that the Scottish Government and the First Minister often speaks about aspiring to.