THE region’s largest food redistribution charity is hosting an event to raise awareness and promote the benefits of quality, surplus food for local charities.

Charities and community groups across the city and wider region are encouraged to attend FareShare Glasgow and West Scotland’s annual Open Day on Friday, from 11am until 2pm.

Taking place at the Regional Centre’s warehouse, based in South Street, guests will hear special talks from executive director, John Hinton, as well as member charities currently receiving FareShare surplus food, who will explain the significant money-savings amongst other benefits.

Attendees will also receive a tour of the warehouse and hear about FareShare’s work supporting Scotland’s world-first period poverty initiative which is providing free sanitary products to women in need across the city.

FareShare is the largest charity of its kind in the UK and works with over 500 food partners across the whole supply chain to source surplus food. Food received is then redistributed to almost 10,000 community groups and charities across the UK via its 21 Regional Centres. Last year in Glasgow and the West of Scotland alone, FareShare helped to feed over 17,000 vulnerable people each week, with charities receiving food including homeless hostels, women’s refuges, school breakfast clubs and drug and rehabilitation centres.

John Hinton, executive director for both young people’s charity Move On and FareShare Glasgow, said: “FareShare does a great job of helping those experiencing food insecurity in our communities.

“Last year saw our busiest year yet, providing food to over 80 charities and community groups in the region - and whilst we are grateful we were able to help feed more vulnerable people each week, the figures clearly demonstrate a very real need for our support.

“With recent investment in infrastructure and landmark developments – including the Family Food Service partnership, working to tackle holiday hunger, and the ground-breaking period poverty initiative – FareShare Glasgow is in a strong position to help feed more people than ever before.

“The cost of signing up to FareShare is minimal, representing significant savings for charities. So if you run or know of a local charity or community group which could benefit from nutritious surplus food, please do contact us and attend our Open Day. We’re eager to help as many as we can.”

For more information or to find out how you can sign up your charity to FareShare, visit fareshare.org.uk/getting-food.