PROVOST Jim Leishman is asking Fifers to make a meal of giving this Christmas, by supporting the Kingdom’s food banks.

The appeal is asking all Fifers to spare a thought for those who not only won’t be having a Christmas dinner but may be missing many more dinners because they can’t afford the food.

In the Cowden-Gelly area the Benarty food bank has been operating well since the summer and moves are in hand to open a facility in Cowdenbeath.

The Provost asked all Fife’s councillors to support the appeal by donating at least £1 to his Christmas Appeal. The request is being extended to all Fife council staff to contribute to the fund if they are able.

He said, “Why not make a real meal out of giving this Christmas? By helping us support Fife’s Foodbanks you could really help make a meal for someone in need.

“There are, unfortunately, many families throughout Fife who will be struggling to put food on the table throughout the year, not just at Christmas. For those of us more fortunate this is a chance to help in a small way to ensure that every child in Fife gets a meal this Christmas.

“Times are hard for many people right now but we have 19,000 members of staff and if each one of them was able to give even £1 then that would be a significant sum of money for our food banks throughout Fife.” Collection buckets are available at Fife House and Bankhead, in Glenrothes; New City House, Dunfermline; Town House, Kirkcaldy; Brunton House, Cowdenbeath and County Buildings, in Cupar. Donations of groceries are also being accepted at the same venues.

Lochgelly man, Provost Leishman continued, “I’d ask everybody who feels that they have even just a little more than they need to give just a little to those who don’t even have enough. Please, help us make a meal of it!” Items which can be accepted include: Milk (UHT or powdered), Sugar (500g), Fruit juice (carton), Soup, Instant mashed potato, Rice/dried pasta, Pasta Sauces, Tomatoes (tinned), Tinned meat/fish, Tinned vegetables, Tinned fruit, Tinned puddings, Jam, Biscuits, Snack bars, Cereals, and Tea bags/instant coffee.