Barrhead slimmers had a sweet surprise for East Renfrewshire Foodbank as they donated tempting treats from their cupboards.

Since January, members of the town’s three Slimming World groups run by Sarah McElroy have been gathering ‘trigger foods’ that threaten to throw their weight-loss efforts off track.

That led to Sarah heading along to the foodbank, based in Lowndes Street, to donate the goods. 

She told the Barrhead News: “We always try to do something. Last year when we collected, we gave to Women’s Aid. 

“This year we wanted to do something a little bit different and the foodbank came up on quite a few occasions.

“The idea behind it was that people had these things in their cupboard from Christmas that were unwanted gifts or things they bought that could potentially knock them off their journey, so we decided the foodbank would be the best option.”

Among the items handed over were biscuits, chocolate and cakes, as well as some tinned food.

Ken Trench, who is part of the foodbank’s management team, has praised the “phenomenal” level of community spirit that can be found in East Renfrewshire.

He said: “There are a lot of foodbanks that are struggling now but East Renfrewshire Foodbank seems to be really supported in a way that keeps us going.

“The Slimming World donation is great. It’s a lovely surprise when groups say ‘we are doing a collection and going to drop it off’ or ‘what are you looking for?’

“When shopping prices are high, the people in East Renfrewshire are still willing to go the extra mile and donate or say they want to do something for us.

“We are all paying our bills, all paying our electricity and gas and extra for shopping and things like that but the awareness is still really high that there are people out there needing a hand.

“It’s really heart-warming.”

Ken regularly updates the Foodbank’s Facebook page with a list of items that are most needed. 

At the moment, these include UHT milk, sugar, jam, tinned rice pudding, tinned chopped tomatoes, tinned spaghetti, tinned carrots and sweetcorn, small jars of coffee, loo rolls and general toiletries.

Formula milk and nappies are not currently needed.

Ken said a number of people who seek help through the foodbank are in work but struggling to cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

He added: “We have always had that to some extent but it’s definitely hitting people who do have an income, who are not on benefits but finding it hard to get to the end of the month.”

The foodbank is open in Barrhead from noon until 2pm on Tuesdays and 2pm until 4pm on Fridays, at Thornliebank Resource Centre from 10.30am until noon on Tuesdays and at Busby Parish Church from 1pm until 3pm on Tuesdays.

For more details, visit facebook.com/ERFoodbank.

Slimming World sessions take place at the Westbourne Business Centre on Thursdays at 5.30pm and 7pm, and Fridays at 9.30am. To find out more call Sarah on 07834517569.