Surprise, surprise for St Augustine’s food bank from Auntie BBC Scotland
Still Game goodies give St Augustine’s choir something to sing about.
By Bill Heaney
It’s not every day a van rolls up at your door with a load of good things to eat and drink.
And when you’re told it was your Auntie that sent it and it’s a gift from the BBC, then that brings joy unbounded.
Perhaps you saw a spring in the step yesterday of the Rev Kenny Macaulay and his Food 4 Thought team at St Augustine’s Episcopal Church in Dumbarton High Street.
The team were absolutely elated, as will be their clients at the food bank they run from the church hall.
A proud Bishop of Glasgow and Galloway, The Rt Rev Dr Gregor Duncan, announced the surprise gift, which arrived on Mission Monday, on the church Facebook site.
He said: “This #missionmonday we have the pleasure of highlighting a surprise gift received by St Augustine’s Dumbarton and their Food For Thought ministry.
“They received a phone call from BBC Scotland – who had just finished filming Still Game in Dumbarton – and offered to deliver all of the stock from Navid’s Corner Shop.
“These photos show some of the volunteers unloading the first of two vans. Food for Thought provides food, aid, and support to those in need in the local area. Many in the community will benefit from this awesome act of generosity!
“God is good – and so is BBC Scotland!”
The Food 4 Thought team meanwhile is being tipped to win the Community/Voluntary Champions (team), sponsored by Caledonia Housing Association.
Food 4 Thought within St Augustine’s Church in Dumbarton operates as a food and clothing bank Monday to Friday.
They distribute donated clothes, toys and household items to people in need and through Community Soup provide a free hot meal to anyone within the Dumbarton area twice weekly.
Also in the running is the MS Group which supports people across the area affected by the condition for over 48 years, offering a fortnightly drop in facility and door to door transport Ben View Resource Centre.
The group, which is run by a small team of staff and a whole host of volunteers, provides extensive support to all ages in the community through a number of projects including a befriending service for older adults and a summer holiday breakfast club for young people.
So, it’s good luck to the winners, who will be honoured by Provost William Hendrie, of West Dunbartonshire Council.
Meanwhile, St Augustine’s will be open from 10 am till 4 pm on Saturday 1st September as part of West Dunbartonshire Doors Open Day.
The architect for this beautiful church was Rowand-Anderson, and Charles Rennie Mackintosh and his wife, Margaret, were married in the church.
Father Kenny said: “Please come in and say hello and have a look round at our wee church on the High Street of Dumbarton.”