Offer in action - community food groups

Community groups across Perth and Kinross mobilised quickly at the start of the pandemic to respond to local issues around access to food. As lockdown and social restrictions impacted on jobs, schooling and the regular means of support to address food insecurity and food poverty, people across Perth and Kinross got together to help their friends and neighbours. 

This groundswell of public action provided important practical support in the communities where it was most needed. Sadly, while the restrictions of the pandemic have eased, the need for these groups has continued. To support their development Councillors agreed funding in the 2021 budget to support their work. This allows them to continue to help the people who need it most and gives the groups a point of contact within Perth & Kinross Council to strengthen their networks to help signpost to other sources of help in the area. 

This is a great example of community members finding the solution to their own needs, and the Council helping to support that work to continue.

Feldy-Roo project

Discover Blairgowrie - supporting communities in the pandemic

This proactive community stepped up to support each other during lockdown, coordinating their approach to provide what was needed as smoothly as possible, inspiring a network of volunteers while working with existing groups and encouraging those who needed support to use these services. Building relationships and new friendships early in the pandemic meant that people felt able to access the support they needed, whether it was food hubs, pharmacy deliveries or wellbeing support. There were also lots of opportunities for safe social connections, mental health workshops, spiritual care and small touches like random acts of kindness and rainbow pictures from local children slipped into newspapers. The group have shared their reflections on the first 100 days of lockdown 2020 on the Discover Blairgowrie website.

Pitlochry Support Group - supporting communities in the pandemic

Residents came together to support their neighbours in the pandemic. They worked together to build an enormous amount of goodwill, trust, volunteer numbers and commitment.

Give or Take Boxes Perth - supporting communities in the pandemic

The 'Give or Take' boxes were set up in the Muirton area of Perth with one in Tulloch and 2 in North Muirton. The ethos is to give what you can, take what you need by way of store cupboard foods, tins and packets. On our Facebook page there are suggested recipes from the Beardy Cook based around what you'd find in a 'Give or Take' box. As well as donations from the community, boxes are topped up with donations from Tesco South Street, Asda, the Christian Outreach Centre, Foodshare and the Co-Op stores.

Community Fridge4All - zero food waste project in Letham

Set up by community group Letham4All with support from Zero Waste, the Community Fridge4All project helps avoid food waste and gives local families access to free food towards the end of its shelf life, and low cost tinned and dried produce. You can find out more on the Letham4All website.