THE Tele is coming to the aid of families across Inverclyde struggling to put food on the table through a major new campaign called 'Bags of Goodwill'.
Along with our kind sponsors - Green Oak Funeral Services, Clyde Metals Recycling Ltd, Inverclyde Taxis, Whiteside Memorials, Hagan Pharmacy and James Frew Ltd - we're asking readers to come together and donate much needed food for our neighbours, friends or families who have fallen on hard times.
And if there is any doubt about how important this campaign is, last year alone 1,555 youngsters were fed through the endeavours of the Inverclyde Foodbank.
The team there send out hundreds of parcels every week to men, women and children in the greatest need.
Now the Tele and our sponsors are joining forces with the frontline anti-poverty charity to restock its shelves and ensure there is enough food to go round in the weeks and months to come.
We're set to send out our very own bag inside Inverclyde's favourite paper which readers can fill and hand in to us.
Adam Wines of Inverclyde Foodbank said: "This is an incredible gesture from the Greenock Telegraph and the campaign sponsors and we are delighted to receive this support.
"We are so grateful for all the help we get from the local community and I'm sure they will rally again for us.
"It has been a very difficult year and we continue to see a high demand for the foodbank."
Tele sales manager Jolene Hamilton said: "We understand the fantastic work that the foodbank does for the local community and we are delighted to get behind such a worthwhile cause.
"We would like to thank all of the businesses involved in this important campaign for their sponsorship and continued support."
Editor David Goodwin said: "This is a very important campaign and one that I'm sure that the Inverclyde public will get right behind."
The bags will be included in every copy of the Tele on April 26.
All readers have to do is fill them and drop them in at the Greenock Telegraph public counter. Our office at 2 Crawfurd Street is open from 9am to 1pm and 2pm to 5pm Monday to Thursday.
Helpful items to include:
Non–perishable food items - pasta sauce, tinned soup (not tomato), tinned meat, tinned tomatoes, tins of meatballs, stewed steak, chill con carne, ravioli, tinned vegetables and potatoes, tea, coffee, tinned fruit, tinned custard/rice pudding, biscuits, UHT milk, diluting juice.
Toiletries – deodorant, toilet paper, shower gel, shampoo, soap.
Household items – laundry liquid detergent, laundry powder, washing up liquid
Feminine products – sanitary towels and tampons
Baby supplies – nappies, baby wipes and baby food
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