Two Castlemilk women organising a ‘solidarity food drive’ to help people cope with the cost-of-living crisis are appealing for donations.
Activists Bridget Crossan, who runs Castlemilk Cooks Up Memories, and Cath Milligan, who stood for Castlemilk Against Austerity in the Glasgow council elections, are planning an event on November 12.
Cath said: “We want to make our voices heard and show people we care - that they are not going through this alone. We have to help each other, before the despair kills people.”
Bridget added: “Enough is enough. The cost of everything is insane, and it is not going to get better any time soon.
"Also, coming out of lockdown, so many people have had mental health problems, and we all need a bit of cheering up.
“Our idea is to have a celebration of our community and the amazing people that live here, while helping people out with support and advice and food packs.
"We want to bring everyone together for some fun, but also with a serious note - Castlemilk stands in solidarity with each other, and against what is happening to people in this crisis.”
Cmilk’s Got Talent will take place at Castlemilk Youth Complex on Ardencraig Road on November 12, from 6.30pm, and will include performances from some of the local area’s biggest stars, such as magician Ryan Davidson, poet Charles T. Lang, BD Dance Academy and The Modern Kind rock band.
There will also be stalls with advice on money management, mental health and more.
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Bridget explained: “It can feel a little like you’re in a black hole, wondering where to go for help, even finding the courage to ask for help, so we will have lots of advice there - on money matters, budgeting, and mental health groups there to help. There is a lot of shame attached to poverty and that needs to be broken down.
“It’s going to be a great night. It’s pay what you can afford, free if you can’t.”
Long-time friends and fellow campaigners Bridget and Cath are determined the event will not be a one-off.
“We are really grateful to Fraser Howat, who manages Castlemilk Youth Complex, for all his support, and we want to keep this going,” said Bridget.
“We are planning a community meal in December and hopefully more events next year.
“Thanks also to everyone who has donated so far, including very generous cash donations from Welding Engineers Glasgow, Tesco, Warburtons and an anonymous donor.”
She added: “We’re not getting paid to do this, we have just had enough. We have heard some absolutely heartbreaking stories from people in our community, from people on the breadline, on benefits and working families, who are having to choose between heating and eating.
“We’ve been there. I’ve sat there when the kids were younger and thought, 'how much money have I got left for dinner?'
"If someone had handed me a bag of messages at that point, it would have meant the world.”
Donations of non-perishable food items can be handed in to The Braes Shopping Centre on Mondays, 11am to 2pm, and Wednesdays 12pm to 2pm, and at Castlemilk Senior Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am until 2pm.
Email castlemilkcooksupmemories@gmail.com for more information or to arrange a drop-off or collection outside those times.
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