The crucial support offered by foodbanks is not lost on Douglas Robertson, managing director of Stagecoach East Scotland.

Everyone wishes there was no need for foodbanks, but with an ongoing cost-of-living crisis, unfortunately demand for their services just continues to grow.

Douglas and his colleagues at Stagecoach have been involved in supporting the Dunfermline Foodbank for a number of years, so when the Central Fife Times launched its 2024 foodbank appeal, they were keen to get on board as its sponsor.

On a visit to the foodbank’s main warehouse, Douglas said: “I’m here to support the Times’ appeal.

“The foodbank is working within our local community. We’ve got a couple hundred members of staff in this area, and they come from this community, so we’re giving something back to where we all live and work, and I think that’s important.

READ MORE: Times readers urged to give the foodbank bags of support

“At the end of the day, it’s our staff, it’s our customers, we’re all in this local community, it’s all about what we can do for those less fortunate in our community, so it’s great to help out.”

Stagecoach East Scotland are no strangers to supporting the foodbank. They’ve backed previous appeals, and are also supporting the appeal launched by the Times’ sister paper, the Dunfermline Press. Staff at the bus company have also helped out in other ways too.

“It’s something that we’ve been involved in for a few years,” said Douglas. “We’ve had collections at work before, and donated food and other stuff, and we’ve been back and forward for a good few years.

Central Fife Times:

“It’s good to get involved, and not just once, but do it year after year, because it is such an important part of the community. I wish it wasn’t, but unfortunately that’s the way it is, so we’re doing our bit to help out.

“We’ve had conversations about how we can support the foodbank in more ways in the future, so I think it’s something that we’re going to continue and get more and more involved in, and hopefully we can get more members of our team involved with it as well.

”Your support is needed more than ever. Thank you in advance for your help and generous donations.”

Inside this week's Central Fife Times newspaper, you'll find a donations bag. We’re urging readers, if they can, to fill it with goods for Dunfermline Foodbank.

Once you’ve filled your donations bag, please drop it off at our Pitreavie office or one of the foodbank's drop-off points which can be found on the website https://dunfermline.foodbank.org.uk.

Donation points include a number in Cowdenbeath, including Wee Jimmies, High Street (collection point in the public house); Co-op Food, Dalbeath Crescent (6am-10pm, collection point in store); and Morrisons, Fountain Place (7am-10pm, permanent collection point in store).

Your support is needed more than ever. Thank you in advance for your help and generous donations.