A LOCAL firm and its employees have pledged a total of £12,000 to Inverclyde Foodbank.

McLaren Packaging and Interlok Divisions have rallied round to support those most in need during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Port firms’ management and staff have been supporting the charity since early April by making much needed financial donations.

They have also been providing staff to work at the foodbank, three afternoons a week on full pay.

They have been matching employee donations and ensuring that Inverclyde Foodbank receive a minimum of £1,000 per week, with a total commitment of at least £12,000.

Donald McLaren, managing director of McLaren Packaging, said: “As a family firm with long-established roots in the local community, we recognised the need to do what we could to help in a meaningful way.

“After discussions in late March and early April, it was clear the foodbank was struggling for donations but, more importantly, volunteers due to the lockdown restrictions preventing regulars from attending.

"We quickly decided to allow employees to get involved and assist the foodbank’s operations during normal company time.

"It has proved to be a great success.”

A total of 12 McLaren Packaging and Interlok Divisions employees have been working at the foodbank.

Donna O’Neil from McLaren Packaging said: “Supporting the foodbank has allowed me to see the wider picture of how it helps the local community by seeing first-hand how the food gets donated, and why it always needs donations as lots of people rely on it.”

Kevin McIntosh from Interlok Divisions added: “I have enjoyed being part of the group as it has allowed me to do something helpful for the local community.”

Inverclyde Foodbank spokesperson Lesley Jackson has praised McLaren for its generosity.

She said: “The support from McLaren Packaging has been instrumental in our managing of our new service set up during our response to the current Covid-19 crisis.

“We have changed our service so that it is delivery-only instead of collections.

“We have had a fantastic group of staff from McLaren Packaging helping in our store and warehouse, making it a streamlined process from our donations coming in to being weighed, date checked, sorted and brought into our packing room, straight into bags and ready to go out to help those most in need.

“Thanks to those driving for us and making these deliveries from McLaren Packaging, we have been able to help individuals, couples and families all over Inverclyde.

"We have been able to supply 759 referrals with a parcel containing a three-day emergency food supply, each containing 10 meals, supporting some 1,401 adults and children.

“We would love to say a huge thank you to everyone at McLaren Packaging for helping us help those in financial need in Inverclyde.

"We work hard to bring hope to Inverclyde and with their help over these past weeks, McLaren Packaging has helped us deliver that.

"We have some way to go until this crisis lifts and service can return to normal and we will continue to work hard to support those in Inverclyde who are most in need.”