ERGC tackles food poverty problem

East Renfrewshire Good Causes continues its quest to love its neighbours — this time with the gift of food.

With foodbanks continuing to make headlines across the UK, food poverty remains an issue — even in seemingly wealthy areas like East 
Renfrewshire.

Newton Mearns man Russell Macmillan — who founded the charity in 2007 as a means of “giving back” following a life-saving double transplant — is now collecting food in a bid to help those in relative poverty.

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He told The Extra: “East Renfrewshire Foodbank already exists, and does excellent work providing emergency food aid for those who need immediate 
help.

“The aim of this project by ER Good Causes is to connect with a totally different audience — those on a very low income, maybe single parents, the disabled or the elderly — and offer them the gift of food, allowing them to save their money for other 
important items.

“We live in a society were there are lots of decent people who wish to donate their time, money or 
goods.

“This is just another example of the community looking to help others in need, in this case to help alleviate 
chronic poverty.”

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The cause has been taken up by East Renfrewshire branches of the Royal Bank of Scotland, with collection bins installed in Newton Mearns, Giffnock and Barrhead banks, soon to be followed by 
Netherlee.

Cath Carr, of the Newton Mearns branch, said: “The Royal Bank of Scotland is always looking for new ways to help the 
community.

“When we were approached to act as a collection point for a loca foodbank it was something the whole area wanted to get involved 
in.

“At Newton Mearns we are located right next to a large Asda, which makes purchasing that extra item 
even easier.”

To find out more about ERGC or to donate to the charity, call Russell on 639 8230 or visit 
www.ergoodcauses.co.uk.