Moray MSP Richard Lochhead supports food banks and local businesses during Forres trip
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MSP for Moray Richard Lochhead had a busy day in Forres last Saturday (December 3).
Mr Lochhead started with a visit to Forres Tesco to support its neighbourhood collection for Moray Food Plus.
The festive donation drive brought supermarket customers face-to-face with Moray Food Plus volunteers and gave them the chance to give to those in need this winter.
Speaking about his visit to Tesco, Mr Lochhead said: “I was pleased to visit Tesco in Forres to support their winter food collection, with donations going to Moray’s food bank to ensure local households aren’t going without.
"It was a good opportunity to meet food bank volunteers who do an incredible job supporting people across Moray.
“Rising costs is putting huge pressure on people across Moray and many who would never have needed this kind of support in the past, are now finding themselves with little option but to turn to the food bank for help.
“I’m also aware that many people who previously donated to Moray Food Plus are no longer in a position to do so, due to increasing pressure on their own finances.
“Having said that, the overwhelming generosity of local people in Forres was remarkable and Tesco’s collection was clearly very successful, with a room full of donations.
“If you’re in a position to support Moray Food Plus this winter all donations big or small will be warmly welcomed and will go a long way to helping local families at a tough time.”
The next stop during Mr Lochhead's day trip was to stop by local small businesses to mark Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday is a national campaign to promote independent businesses of all types, which is in its tenth year.
To mark the occasion, Mr Lochhead dropped into High Street businesses Café 1496 and Fraser Bros Butchers.
Richard said the local businesses were very important to the community and highlighted the Scottish Government support they have received.
He said: “I was delighted to visit some local businesses on Forres High Street to show my support for Small Business Saturday.
“Shopping locally is a simple way for individuals to play a part in supporting our local economy, after all these businesses provide jobs in the area and play a big role in making our community so vibrant.
“There has never been a more important time to shop local whenever you can as businesses are still recovering from the pandemic and are facing the pressures of the rising bills we are all seeing.
“The Scottish Government is helping our businesses recover as much as it can but we can all play our part individually too, by visiting our local cafes, shops, bars, salons, restaurants and the many more businesses we are lucky to have in Moray.
“Small, local businesses make a big difference to our communities and local economy so I encourage everyone to shop local this Christmas and all year round.”
The politician ended his visit to Forres at the Cross, enjoying the Christmas lights switch on event.
