ALDI INVERURIE

Inverurie Community Partnership (SC0 52759) opened its doors on Monday 3rd September 2023. ICP comprises a food bank (operating on a pantry model) and a free Advice and Information Service. The food pantry offers a wide range of products. We have fresh fruit and vegetables, packeted and tinned goods, bread and bakery products, milk and dairy products, frozen food and chilled goods. We also offer hygiene products, baby products and pet products too. We operate on a membership basis, where for a £5 annual membership those looking to use our products can sign up subsequently using their membership number to sign in to our pantry which is situated in the heart of Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. We are open Mondays and Tuesdays from 10:30am to 3pm and Thursdays and Fridays from 10:30am to 12:30pm. We are an organisation completely run by volunteers, many of whom take great pride in being part of our dedicated team. Our stocks come through supermarket waste and, through Neighbourly, we are able to pick up from local supermarkets. As supermarkets are being pushed to reduce their waste, there has been an impact on our stocks so we also receive support, both financially and in donations, from local businesses, groups and individuals. We look to grants and fundraising to fill in the gaps we have in our stocks. We have also forged partnerships with local organisations some of whose employees volunteer with us when they can. We have "Community" at the heart of our name and "Community" is at the heart of all we do. We were proud recipients of the "Pride of Inverurie" Awards in the Community Champion category a mere 11 months in to opening our doors in august 2024.. The community have very much taken us to their hearts and we often collaborate on such projects as local Scout groups (Beavers and Rainbows) doing service badges with us or local school children visiting to see our services and find out more about poverty alleviation. We support a food trolley at a local primary school and also give to other food banks in the locality. What we have found in our first two years of opening is that we also are cited as combating loneliness and social isolation. Our volunteers endeavour to provide a safe and dignified method of shopping; they take time to engage with our members and they always leave with a smile. Food is only the tip of the range of services we provide. Similarly, our volunteers report increased self esteem and improved mental health through volunteering with ICP. Our Advice and Information Service offers debt advice, help with benefits, assistance with completing digital forms and "financial first aid". This is a free service by appointment only with an advisor with over 20 years in this sector. She consults on a Tuesday and a Thursday. We are very proud of how far we have come since opening in 2023. Membership now stands (October 2025) at over 570.

Aberdeenshire North Foodbank was established in 2013 and operates 5 foodbank centres across our area; Inverurie, Huntly, Ellon, Peterhead and Fraserburgh. We provide emergency food and practical support to families and individuals without enough money left to live on. We work with external support agencies and frontline care professionals to identify and support people in need in our local communities. The Foodbank receives support from local churches, schools, clubs, as well as supermarkets and other local organisations and companies who donate food and financial resources. Our workforce is largely made up of a team of hard-working and dedicated volunteers. Food donations of essential items such as UHT milk, long-life juice, tinned fruit and vegetables, tinned meat products (and vegetarian equivalent), breakfast cereal are frequently in short supply. These items are provided in every emergency food parcel and directly support someone in need. Financial support allows us to do so much more. These are our 3 key priorities to ensure a strong and stable core operation. 1. Establish a central food warehouse to serve all of our food distribution centres. Finances are required to rent and maintain a warehouse property which is secure and stable for the long term. The aim is to create a Foodbank Community Hub so we can establish an operational and administrative base for our entire operation. 2. Employ a very small staff team to coordinate, manage and develop the Foodbank services in support of the volunteer team and Board of Trustees. 3. Running costs for transport and logistics; to transport food supplies from the warehouse to the five food distribution centres, as well as deliver food parcels to clients unable to visit their nearest distribution centre. Additional funding and financial support would allow us to operate in other towns or villages if there is a need, as well as other projects or collaborations with relevant organisations. This could include a community garden in any/all of our locations, financial inclusion and budgeting support with a recognised provider to move people out of food poverty and dependence into food stability and independence. Registered as a charity in Scotland (No: SC045884).

We are a group of individuals dedicated to uplifting humanity and changing the would through promoting a culture of Charity as a true way of living out authentic and meaningful lives together in families, communities, and societies; in order to attain our destiny in God. We provide relief to families in crisis from poverty, conflict, hardship. ill health or addiction through weekly provision of well cooked food served in a warm environment where they can be consoled and be happy to meet new friends. We also provide free weekly groceries to the above referenced families in order to promote their physical wellbeing.