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At the start of the pandemic an Old Kilpatrick couple looked for ways to help people struggling to get food and everyday essentials.
With a large elderly population in the village, they knew many residents were scared to use supermarkets and public transport.
So, Maureen and Gordon Cummings set up an emergency food aid collection spot in the local Twisted Thistle pub and used their own funds to buy food.
“On our first day we supplied 21 people with food bags,” Maureen remembered.
Within weeks they had food drop-off and collection points set up across Bowling, Old Kilpatrick and Dalmuir and were receiving bottles of hand sanitizer made locally at Auchentoshan Distillery.
At the time they only expected to be providing the support until the lockdowns eased.
However, as they started chatting to people coming to pick up food parcels, they quickly realised food wasn’t the only thing in short supply.
Maureen explained: “We met a lot of people who lived alone and didn’t see anyone or have people to talk from day to day.
“That’s where the idea of the Chatty Café came from.”
A year later the OKFP Community Pantry and Chatty Café opened for business in a disused industrial unit in Station Road.
With the help of a small group of volunteers and community groups like the local Men’s Shed, the unit was transformed into a bright and welcoming space which has become a lifeline for
people across the community.
Maureen added: “In year one we provided food parcels to 4,000 households, in year two it was 4,500 and in year three it has been 6,000 households.
“A total of 27,500 people have received food since we started, most of which has been donated by our community, for our community.
“We’ve also had 3,500 people at our various events and classes in here and we’ve now had 140 volunteers who have helped make this happen.”
For Maureen the highlight of the past three years is in seeing the transformation of her volunteers many of whom had accessed support from OKFP Community Pantry.
She said: “Being able to give them opportunities and create jobs for five of them, watch them develop and see their happiness increase, has been priceless.
“I’m like a proud mum.”
And the Civic reception hosted by Provost Douglas McAllister in Clydebank Town Hall was the perfect way for the OKFP team to celebrate three years of hard work and thank all the people
who have helped along the way.
Provost McAllister said: “The Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels project was the overall winner of the Provost’s Civic Awards in 2021.
“Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we at West Dunbartonshire Council did not get the opportunity to recognise the Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels’ achievements with their volunteers, helpers and friends.
“I was delighted to arrange and host this civic reception to recognise, celebrate and thank all at Old Kilpatrick Food Parcels and the Chatty Café for the quite outstanding contribution to the
community and the wellbeing of our citizens.”
And after a night to remember in the Town Hall’s Grand Hall, the team were fired up and looking forward to their new community venture for 2023.
This is the Wee Chatty Café and community garden.
Based in a shipping container on a plot next to the Scout Hall, the Wee Chatty Café is based on the same principles and ethos as the Chatty Café hub.
Its aim is to provide a friendly community space for local people and visitors alike.
Maureen explained: “There are a lot of dog walkers out there and the only chat they have is with their wee dog.
“So, this is an outdoor space where they can stop for a cup of something or a bite to eat and have a chat with our team or other passers-by.
“It is a ‘free’ take-away.
We accept a range of currencies – tea bags, coffee, cakes, biscuits, dog treats and poo bags.
“We do also accept cash, but we prefer an exchange or donation.
“An elderly gentleman came along the other day, he had two rolls and sausage and handed in a large jar of coffee which had been sitting in his cupboard since Christmas.”
With the help of the Men’s Shed, the Scouts, AOK and the Community Justice team they are also creating an enclosed community garden space for anyone in the community to enjoy.
Maureen added: “People can come and potter and just enjoy the outdoors.
“We’ll have gardening equipment, plants and local groups and nurseries can come along for a visit.
“It will be an outdoor space where everyone is welcome.”