Food larder / mutual aid (partner first)
Map who already feeds people — then volunteer, top-up, or open a gap only if partners agree.
Stronger local food access with clear hygiene, referral routes, and no damaging duplication.
Households under food pressure, including families and people in temp accommodation.
Open this guide from a ward’s Take action tab to load councillor and Area Partnership contacts for that place.
Progress stays in your browser only (no account). Clear site data wipes ticks.
Step-by-step plan
Follow the phases in order. Finish one before expanding.
Map before you open
Days, hours, referral rules, volunteer needs. Ask if they want help before you invent a brand.
Volunteer shifts, transport, top-up funding, school-holiday packs — or a new session only if partners confirm a real gap.
Operate with standards
Written basics for every volunteer. No out-of-date stock. Choice where possible.
Food is a bridge — display advice service contacts every session.
Kit & materials
Existing pantries, churches, Govan HELP-style orgs, schools
Training before handling open food
Never from a damp spare room long-term
In/out, use-by, allergens
Council & institutional help
Ask the community council and Area Partnership who is funded this year before starting anything new.
Libraries, halls and churches may host; check food registration rules with the council if you become an operator.
Safety & non‑negotiables
- Food hygiene and allergens are non-negotiable
- Do not store high-risk chilled food without proper kit
- Dignity first — no photo “poverty porn”
- Signpost to advice services for underlying income issues
Common mistakes
- Opening a parallel larder without asking
- No hygiene standards
- Stockpiling past use-by dates
- Treating food aid as a photo opportunity
Funding that fits this action
Area Partnership for top-up stock or shelves · Supermarket community schemes · National food poverty funds when open · Tap a card to open the funder website.
Glasgow Area Partnership / Neighbourhood funds
Small local projects, events, equipment, environmental improvements
Who: Constituted community groups in the area
Size: £500 – £5,000
Deadline: Rounds through the year (check Area Partnership)
Tips: Show local support and a clear neighbourhood benefit. Apply to your local Area Partnership budget.
Common fails: No constitution, unclear budget, activity outside the area.
Area Partnership Budgets (GCC) →
Housing Association community funds
Tenant and estate-based activity
Who: Tenant groups and local partners
Size: £250 – £3,000
Deadline: Rolling or quarterly
Tips: Link to estate priorities (youth, environment, isolation). Ask your local RSL’s community team for their community grant pot.
Common fails: Activity not benefiting tenants/area.
SFHA member housing associations →
Community Council small grants
Micro projects and seed costs
Who: Local groups (varies)
Size: £50 – £500
Deadline: Meeting cycle
Tips: Attend a community council meeting and ask early.
Common fails: No local connection demonstrated.
Glasgow Community Councils (GCC) →
National Lottery Awards for All Scotland
People-led community projects
Who: Voluntary/community organisations
Size: Up to £20,000 (check current rules)
Deadline: Rolling
Tips: Plain language; clear beneficiaries; realistic budget.
Common fails: Retrospective costs; vague outcomes.
Apply — Awards for All Scotland →
Supermarket community grants
Equipment, small local projects, food-related activity, community spaces
Who: Local groups (scheme rules vary — check each funder)
Size: £100 – £1,500 typical (some larger Asda/Morrisons awards)
Deadline: Token / application cycles — different for each supermarket
Tips: Pick the scheme that matches your project. Visible local story and photos help. Always read current eligibility on the funder’s page.
Common fails: Missing charity/group registration where required; applying to a closed round.
Pick a supermarket scheme
- Tesco — Fruit & Veg / Stronger StartsGrants (often up to £1,500) for food access, kids & community projects — apply via Tesco/Groundwork programme pages.
- Tesco Community Grants hubProgramme information and routes for Tesco community grant schemes.
- Asda FoundationLocal community grants and larger space funds — often via store Community Champions or online windows.
- Co-op Local Community FundMember-chosen local causes; groups can apply when rounds open in their area.
- Co-op fund details (Funding Scotland)Clear summary of who can apply and how for the Co-op Local Community Fund.
- Morrisons FoundationCharity project grants (check if applications are open — site sometimes pauses for upgrades).
Downloadable templates for this action
Open in any text editor or spreadsheet. Fill in the brackets — then send or print.