A community shop which has redistributed 6.7 tonnes of food since it opened in September has launched a Crowdfunder to help the service grow.
Blether, which is based in Neilston at 103 Main Street, works with supermarkets and growers to make sure food which would otherwise be wasted goes to residents who can pop in and pick up what they will use.
The shop helps an average of 40 to 60 people each day access food and any items not handed out are transformed into living soil which local growing project Incredible Edible Neilston grows food from.
Cat Train from Blether told the Barrhead News: “Since we opened, we have been lucky to receive funding from various sources, including Nicer Neilston Participatory Budgeting, Accenture - Change X, Voluntary Action East Renfrewshire and Greater Renfrewshire and Inverclyde Local Action Group.
“This has allowed us to lease the shop space, pay for electricity and water, create three part-time jobs for people in the village and pay for food hygiene training for all volunteers.
"Any funding we receive via this Crowdfunder will go towards the lease of the shop space.
"Lots of funders require us to demonstrate community support and match funding.
"(Insurance company) Aviva have announced they’re match funding anything we raise through it, so every pound will go further."
Blether has been created by Propagate, which is a worker led collective specialising in local, community and sustainable food projects.
As the growing season begins, produce which Incredible Edible Neilston grows will find its way to Blether for people to help themselves to for free.
This they say will create a "proper local circular economy."
Those behind the project are also going to be creating a shop element where they hope to sell more locally-grown food, thereby ensuring there is dignity for anyone accessing the community fridge.
This will also ensure the project is sustainable.
So far nearly £500 has been raised through the Crowdfunder.
“Any support you can offer is gratefully appreciated,” added Cat.
“We will always be fully transparent with all donations and funding received.
“A total of £1200 would cover the rent for two months.”
East Renfrewshire MP Kirsten Oswald visited Blether last Friday (May 3) and enjoyed a chat with the team about “all their brilliant work for the community.”
“Nice to catch up and wonderful to see how incredibly busy the service is,” she said.
“If you’re not familiar with what they do, it spans a whole range of areas which benefit the community so much.
“This is a provision which is here for everyone and we could see a whole variety of folk coming in and making use of this food."
“Excellent to hear of the continued development of one of my favourite areas, the Incredible Edible planters and to see the produce being used in the community, whether for cooking or in their amazing apothecary," she added.
“Very happy to hear of the work being done to introduce young people to the nutritional and economic benefits of growing your own food too.
“If you can use the services Blether provides, just pop in. Check their Facebook page for opening hours.
"If you’ve got some time available to volunteer, that will help them do even more than they already are. They’d love to hear from you.”
Blether also runs a variety of workshops.
Make Your Own Bath Bomb and Make Your Own Wax Melts sessions are due to take place on Saturday (May 11) at 10am and 4pm respectively.
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