KLSB Community Fund - Supporting People In Crisis

KLSB was established in 2018 as a small community group before becoming a registered charity in 2021. The main objective of KLSB is tackling poverty within our communities. KLSB had started work on building a small community pantry where residents could have access to quality groceries for a small weekly fee of £2.50, however, Covid arrived and put all plans on hold.

During the pandemic KLSB worked in conjunction with Falkirk Council and with the help of over 90 volunteers from Larbert High & Stenhousemuir FC they distributed over 600 bags of groceries to 180 households every week. 

The Next Phase

In early 2020 KLSB took over the lease at 17 King Street where they established their new home for the community food pantry. On the opening week over 40 families used the food pantry services, each receiving over £40.00 worth of groceries for a small membership fee of £2.50. The membership fee goes towards ensuring that the pantry is stocked with items that are unable to be donated, for example, fresh and frozen items. 

Working In The Community

As well as running a very busy food pantry, KLSB also carries out initiatives within the community. Since 2018, KLSB has planted and maintained the large flower beds at Dobbie Hall/Johnstone Ave, King Street, and Corrie Ave. They have placed over 100 micro gardens around the community and they have installed large town center planters within the Stenhousemuir precinct. In 2021 they successfully raised over £5000.00 to help install 5 emergency defibrillators which have been placed at key points within the community, saving at least 2 lives to date. 

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In 2022 KLSB ran summer days out where they helped take over 80 families with children on mystery tours, these tours went to St Andrews Sea Life Centre, Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh Zoo & Blair Drummond Safari Park.

The Point Community Cafe

After securing new premises for the pantry at 17 King Street it was decided that the old premises should be used as a community hub. KLSB successfully applied to Falkirk Council Community Choices, Health & Social Care Partnership, and Forth Environment Link for funding which allowed them to refit 38 King Street into a community cafe with a fully fitted stainless steel commercial kitchen. The cafe is now used for a variety of events including a weekly senior lunch club which is highly enjoyed by many and helps break down the sense of isolation and loneliness as well as forging new friendships and craft days for children. Many groups use the premises for free including PaNDAS, Denny CAB, and local independent groups. KLSB also runs cooking initiatives from the cafe and Larbert High uses the premises to teach high school pupils barista skills, many of whom have achieved a Scottish Vocation Qualification. The cafe is also open on Thursday for anyone to walk in and enjoy a snack, drink, and homemade baking at an affordable cost. As well as cooking healthy meals for the pantry The cafe also incorporates any fresh items from that pantry that is not used for creating healthy soups and meals which are then redistributed to the community via the pantry, meaning that there is zero food waste.

Moving On

Since its early beginnings, KLSB has followed the Nourish Scotland guidelines and worked within the Dignity in Practice framework. The report has some key factors that they follow.

✚ A sense of control
Having power to make choices about what, where, when, how and with whom you eat.

✚  Able to take part in community life
Feeling able and welcome to take part in different aspects of community life, regardless of your financial situation.

✚  Nourished and supported
Being able to enjoy food and access support that meets your needs.

✚  Involved in decision-making
Feeling able to share your views and ideas and to have those views taken seriously in decision-making.

✚  Valued and able to contribute
Feeling recognised and valued as a whole person with knowledge, skills and experiences to share.

The report also goes on to say

"Communities cannot be held responsible for, or bear the disproportionate burden of, food insecurity in Scotland, but, with appropriate support, the community food sector is well placed to respond to current crises and promote and restore dignity at a local level. We believe that ending household food insecurity and becoming a Good Food Nation requires all of us to work together. We will need both national action to secure decent incomes and the strategic and coordinated development of community food infrastructure to deliver on health and social inclusion."

KLSB has been working closely with NHS Forth Valley, Falkirk Council, Police Scotland, Citizens Advice as well as other recognised support groups and schools where they take emergency referrals for families or individuals in need of support. Unlike other foodbanks, KLSB will invite the family or individual along to the community pantry where they can pick their own groceries which meet their needs. Other food banks simply offer a collection of goods that they have picked for the referral meaning that many of the items may not meet that person's dietary conditions or taste. Other food banks also only offer 3 emergency referrals per year, KLSB will offer up to 4 weeks of support , 4 times per year with the option of joining the community pantry to further that support on a continued basis. 

KLSB has recently been overwhelmed by the number of applications to the community pantry and referrals from our partners due to the cost of living crisis and it has been decided to open another day to help meet the demands. KLSB will also be putting a van on the road, thanks to Falkirk Council`s Community Choices and they will offer a telephone ordering service and delivery to its outlying community where access to the community pantry is incredibly difficult. KLSB currently has 16 volunteers helping out with the day-to-day running of the group. It is thanks to these amazing people and those that have previously volunteered that KLSB is able to support our community. 

To help KLSB achieve this new initiative they are asking their local community and businesses to become involved and help raise £500.00. All monies raised will be used to restock the pantry with items that cannot be donated, for example, fresh fruit & veg, bread, milk, eggs as well as butcher meat and other non-ambient foods. 

Updates will be made available as to where every penny gets spent as well as regular newsletters explaining how your donation has made a difference to many.