Food pantry funding for Govanhill expected to be approved by council chiefs

More than £700,000 could be handed to pantries in Govanhill as well as other parts of the city to “address food insecurity”.

And around £300,000 has been earmarked for a small grants scheme, allowing ‘locally driven’ town centre projects to apply for funding.

The schemes will go before Glasgow City Council chiefs for approval on Thursday.

They have been allocated cash from a Scottish Government Town Centre Fund, with Glasgow receiving just over £3m of a £50m pot.

Councillor Kenny McLean, city convener for neighbourhoods, housing and public realm, said: “Glasgow’s allocation is required to be committed before the end of March 2020.

“Given the tight timescales associated with the grant funding, committee is requested to approve upper limit allocations to the identified projects at this time. This will allow more detailed schemes to be worked up.”

The identified projects include proposed food pantries, with £234,000 for space in Govanhill Baths, led by Govanhill Baths Trust.

Money would be used to refurbish premises, allowing “an alternative to the foodbank model”.

“Pantries offer dignity and choice in exchange for a subscription and/or membership fee, targeting those on a low income or recovering from crisis,” Mr McLean said.

“Set out as a shop, pantries display a variety of good quality food, which members can choose from.”

A report by Mr McLean states the pantries will bring additional footfall to town centres, stimulating economic activity.

Memberships would be around £2.50 per week.