Free helpline opens to help vulnerable Scots with food deliveries through coronavirus outbreak
Labour MSP Anas Sarwar is the president of the Sarwar Foundation which launched the project.
A free helpline has been launched in Scotland to help vulnerable people through the current pandemic.
The community project called 'Viral Kindness Scotland' involves around 500 convenience stores and will help with shopping deliveries and also help to tackle loneliness.
Labour MSP Anas Sarwar, who is president of the Sarwar Foundation which launched the project, put out a plea earlier this week and a number of organisations across Scotland got in touch to help build a community-led response to the coronavirus outbreak.
Go-Centric in Glasgow donated its base and staff to use for a 24-hour freephone helpline where they will be in contact with 500 convenience stores across Scotland including Day-Today and USave in order to secure essential goods for those in need.
Postcards will also be distributed to stores for consumers and shopkeepers to identify vulnerable people in their local communities, which can be returned to the charity by freepost.
Anas Sarwar, Labour MSP and President of the Sarwar Foundation, said:
"The coronavirus outbreak has produced a community spirit across Scotland to help those most in need. Thank you to everyone working on the frontline and all those who are volunteering.
"By pulling together and by mobilising our communities, we can all look out for our families, our friends and our neighbours. Initiatives are springing up organically in communities across the country, which is heart-warming at this worrying time.
"This unique community-led project is designed to help co-ordinate the community response, involving a number of organisations which have come together to provide their services for free, bringing together volunteers, small convenience stores, and a national call centre.
"I hope it will go some way to assisting with the national response to this crisis, ensuring that we spread kindness to those most in need."
Mohammed Rajak, owner of the Buywell DayToday store in Bridgeton, Glasgow, said:
"Shopkeepers are at the heart of local communities and we are determined to help identify vulnerable people and secure essential supplies for them.
"We will be handing out postcards to customers, and we are appealing for volunteers to help deliver shopping packages to those self-isolating.
"At times like this, we all want to play our part by spreading kindness in our communities."
Shopping orders will require to be paid for to ensure small businessowners can continue trading, but it is hoped that charity fundraising efforts will help to pay for the goods for some of the most vulnerable people.
Vulnerable individuals in Scotland can contact the free helpline on 0800 054 2282 from 3pm on Thursday 19th March or can also go on the website if they need help with food deliveries.
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