Grantown has opened its own community table for those in need
Grantown has opened its own community food table to help those in most need by providing immediate access to a range of food and toiletries with no referral process required
It was set up by the town's Community Here to Help and is based at the YMCA in what used to be Grantown's library.
The community food table is open from 11am to 1pm Monday to Saturday and 5pm to 7pm on Tuesday evenings.
Spokeswoman Fiona Rodgers said: "With incomes dropping or disappearing overnight, worrying about how to feed your kids or yourself is a huge stress.
"All this on top of lockdown fears and uncertainties.
"The food table is for anyone who is wondering how they will make it to the end of the month financially.
"If you are asking yourself 'am I in need?' then the table is there for you.
"It is also there for folks who are doing shopping for self-isolators who cannot get out to access cash.
"Our volunteers are happy to do local deliveries. We post a daily update on the Covid-19 Mutual Aid Grantown Facebook page."
Plenty of companies local and nationwide have rallied to the cause.
Mrs Rodgers said: "The YM Community Centre receive donations from Aldi to run their Community Cafe so those donations have transferred to the Community Food Table and we had a food starter pack from New Start Highland along with toiletries to get the table stocked and started along with support from Badenoch and Strathspey Foodbank.
"The 'Table' is getting its first donation from Grantown Co-op this week; local Co-op staff have been really keen for this to happen. Grantown Dairy is providing fresh fruit and veg.
"Last week we had a sizeable donation from Aviemore Foodbank of pet food which was 'just in time' as well as a range of Foodbank staples that had short date codes.
"Lloyds Pharmacy has a small table as they felt this was the best way of advertising our service and reduced that risk to their customers through additional contacts."
'The Table' is happy to receive donations of food, tinned soups, tinned fruit and other items.
For assistance or for any enquiries please contact the local helpline number 01479 722170 or email grantownh2h@gmail.com .
Grantown Community Here to Help is a co-ordinating group spearheaded by representatives from Grantown YM Community Centre, Inverallan Church of Scotland, Voluntary Action Badenoch & Strathspey, Grantown Initiative and the Grantown Business Association, and with wonderful volunteers from across the community.
