LISTEN: 9000 Meals Served By North Poverty Action Group

A pensioner in Dalneigh has received the 9,000th meal provided by Food for Families since it was launched in Inverness three years ago.

The initiative, which stretched from Nairn to Easter Ross this winter, has achieved the five-figure milestone by racking up a record 3,376 meals cooked and distributed since December.

MFR Reporter Derek Ferguson speaks with Food for Families founder David Sutherland about the milestone...

Food for Families founder David Sutherland said:”It’s been a wonderful effort by so many volunteers to reach the ten thousand mark – their generosity of spirit has helped those in need in the city and beyond in such a particularly chill winter.

“I’d like to pay particular tribute to Inverness Prison, who were a new supporter this winter.

“Prisoners cooked and packed a total of 1,009 meals – a magnificent contribution which was of valuable help to so many vulnerable people in the community.”

Mr Sutherland, who, with his wife Anne, has donated 6000 portions of mince to the project over the three years, thanked Highland Homeless Trust and the network of local churches and volunteer groups for cooking and distributing the food for local elderly and disadvantaged people, including families.

He said:”The actual 9,000th meal was given to someone in need in Dalneigh, whose privacy we’ll respect, but it is clear that Food For Families is filling a valuable niche and we’ll be addressing ways to potentially expand its operation ahead of next winter.”

More than half of the meals were given to people in Inverness but this winter recipients stretched as far as Aviemore and Kingussie.

Food For Families, which receives no assistance from the public purse, had assistance from volunteer groups in Dores and the Black Isle plus Inverness Mosque, St Ninians Catholic Church, Culloden Baptist Church, Culduthel Christian Centre and, from the Church of Scotland, Ness Bank, Crown, Inshes and Old High St Stephens.

The project has also relied on doctors, social workers, teachers, support workers, community health nurses and other individuals to recommend vulnerable people who could benefit from a hot meal.

Fruit and veg firm Williamsons and local restaurant owner Catriona Cameron were among major donors of food.