With the cost of living crisis continuing to impact Clackmannanshire families, the Advertiser has teamed up with The Gate to launch a Clackswide appeal.

The foodbank is part of The Gate Charity which works to prevent and relieve poverty, and to improve conditions for those less fortunate.

The Gate is headed by Jilly Guild, who praised members of the community for their help in donating to the foodbank.

She said: “Partnerships like these are vital in allowing us to provide food and essentials to those in most need in our community.

“Thank you to the readers of the Alloa Advertiser for continuing to help us help them.”

To help with the appeal, the Advertiser has provided donation bags in this week’s paper and is asking all those who can to fill it with everyday shopping essentials.

From there, donors can drop off the items to The Gate at their base on Sauchie’s Main Street.

The appeal is  being backed by a number of community sponsors from across the Wee County. Ashleigh Durkin, of the Sterling Mills Shopping Outlet Village, said: “We are proud to be supporting the food bank appeal. It’s more important than ever to look after those that need it in our communities.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser:

“We always try to contribute positively the local area with free events and working with charities and this is perfect for us to help in even the smallest way bringing awareness to an important asset.”

Lesley Cairns, of O-I Manufacturing UK  Ltd,  which  runs the Glassworks in Alloa, added: “O-I sees tremendous opportunity to positively impact the communities where we live and work. Here in Alloa, we want to give back to our local community through a donation to Alloa Advertiser Food Bank Initiative.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser:

“Through charitable donations and engagement,  O-I is committed to our communities around the world and here in Alloa we are proud to  support  the Alloa Advertiser Food Bank Initiative making a difference  and helping those in need in the local area.”

Others have also given their support, including Tillicoultry Quarries.

The firm’s Wallace Menzies said: “Tillicoultry Quarries are delighted to support the local food bank appeal alongside other local businesses.

“As a family business supporting our local communities, particularly during these difficult times and cost of living crisis, is very important to us.

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser:

“We hope that this partnership with our local press will help encourage donations to the food bank to help those who are most in need.”

David Forster, managing director of FozSports, who grew up in Clackmannanshire, added: “We are very happy to help with the appeal for the local foodbank. Due to FozSports being a family-owned business in the local area, we appreciate that times are exceptionally hard just now with the current living crisis. We hope that between local business and local people we can all come together to help families and individuals that are struggling at these hard times.”

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser:

Popular Alloa restaurant Bar Aldo’s have also joined the Advertiser’s campaign, with owners Aldo and Fiorinda Pia delighted to give something back to the area.

They said: “We believe in supporting the local community. With rising fuel costs and food bills we feel it is important, as a local business, to help where we can.

“By supporting the Alloa Advertiser Foodbank appeal we hope that we can come together as a community and help those most in need.”

Alloa and Hillfoots Advertiser:

The Advertiser has provided a food donation bag with each edition of the paper.

Readers can take this bag and fill it with items such as tinned meat, tinned veg, variety packs cereal, coffee/tea and jam.

Once the bag is full, donations can be dropped off at the foodbank, located at 2 Ludgate, Alloa.

For more information on The Gate and the work they do, please visit https://www.facebook.com/gatefoodbank