Dundee Foodbank has been given a helping hand by a bighearted local business after a van used to collect and deliver their food parcels came to a grinding halt.
The charity, which provides three days’ nutritionally-balanced emergency food and support to local people in crisis, were paying £250-a-week in rental costs after its own vehicle was forced off the road.
The van, which was donated by a local businessman in 2013 and had been used to collect donations and move them between the foodbank’s Dunsinane Avenue warehouse and four centres, needed a new clutch and gearbox, costing at least £1,000.
Despite the charity’s trustees issuing an appeal to local firms for a replacement to be donated or sponsored, it was forced to hand over hundreds of pounds each week to hire a van from a local garage and keep the vital meals moving.
However, the plea was spotted on Saturday by Andrew Renwick, managing director of Dundee-based Caltech Lifts.
The company immediately offered to loan the food bank one of the vans they keep spare to cover for out-of-use vehicles until a permanent replacement can be found.
Mr Renwick said: “When I saw the foodbank’s Facebook post I knew we had to help in any way we could because I’ve heard a lot about the great work they do.
“We’re sorry we’re not in a position to give it to them permanently but are glad it will help keep things going until they can get a replacement.”
Mr Renwick delivered the van to the warehouse on Monday, where it was immediately put into action moving meals round the city.
The loan also allowed a hired van to be returned and a £250 refund claimed for the rental booked for this week.
Dundee Foodbank warehouse coordinator Michael Calder said: “We’re very grateful to Andrew and Caltech Lifts for the loan of their van as it will save us £250 a week and allow us to continue our work as Scotland’s busiest Trussell Trust foodbank – distributing 80 tonnes of food a year to people in desperate need.
“We now have an offer from another business to source a replacement van and we’re looking into that. In the meantime, Caltech’s van will keep our essential service going.”
