Our Staff and Volunteers are working hard to support people affected by the national crisis. It has been agreed that The Gate Centre will remain open from 10am – 3pm Monday to Friday.

Soup Pot – This project will remain open for the time being every Tuesday 12 – 1pm providing the usual service supporting vulnerable people within the community.

Foodbank – This project will remain open for referrals and we may be required to adapt the referral system throughout the next few weeks to support people affected by the coronavirus. We are working closely with our partners to ensure that we are strategically managing our stocks to support vulnerable people fairly within the community. In order to do so, we are appealing to the general community for donations of carrier bags and food to meet with the potential extra demand. We are also appealing to the Clacks community for additional volunteer support should our volunteers be affected by the virus. We are asking that if you or anyone you know can assist that you pop along to The Gate to discuss your availability and to consider roles that you may be able to get involved in.

Community Café – The café will close until further notice. Further information will follow.

Home Starter Pack project – We will provide starter packs for emergency referrals only.

All other projects will be suspended until further notice. In particular, our Books N Blether reading group, Gig at The Gate and other projects including Gate Catering Services and planned fundraising events too.

Forth Valley Recovery Community has also decided to close their cafés for the foreseeable future. Additional help will be provided by staff at FVRC to support people who usually attend the cafes for support.

As discussed, we are calling upon the Clacks community for support should we need it. Activities may involve delivering food parcels, sorting through donations of food and distributing parcels to our service users or referrers when they come along to our Centre for support. We may introduce new initiatives in the near future to manage any potential increase in the need for vulnerable people within Clackmannanshire, therefore there may be other ways in which you could get involved. Any support that you could provide during this time would be greatly appreciated.

Stay safe, stay well and stay happy. We will get through this!

THE globetrotting mascot of an Alloa charity has become the organisation’s most travelled volunteer, having visited nearly 20 countries.

Jackson, an adorable fluffy Labrador toy, has been travelling the world with volunteers of The Gate since last summer and has been as far as Australia, the US, Gambia and much more.

He helps connect people, bringing a little joy when things get stressful at the charity, which distributed 80,455 meals from its foodbank and provided 355 children with school clothing this year.

Marie Brownhill, volunteer manager at The Gate, said: “He creates a sociable, informal and joyful rapport with the volunteers which is really important because it can be a very stressful environment to work in. “It is important that people enjoy their time at The Gate and Jackson, who is off to Austria soon, helps to promote happiness within the team.”

The cuddly mascot, who was donated to the charity by a six-year-old, has also travelled the UK extensively and volunteers have also taken him home for sleepovers, BBQs and birthday parties closer in and around the Wee County.

Val Rose, a trustee at The Gate, added: “He has travelled extensively across the UK and has even been to birthday parties and other occasions. Jackson does not say a lot but he is very well known and popular in the local community and people come in to The Gate and ask for him.”

The mascot has also seen Norway, France, Corfu, Poland, Tunisia and Spain. Recently, the list grew with Portugal’s autonomous Madeira region with charity supporter MSP Keith Brown. Wearing a pair of snazzy sunglasses, the representative posed for a snap which will find its place in Jackson’s photo album to showcase his epic travels. Mr Brown said: “I thought this was a great opportunity to show my ongoing support for The Gate and the work it does for our local area.
“From the vital services it delivers like the Soup Pot and foodbank to the more fun, but just as important events, like the Gig at the Gate and Community Café”.

“Since it was established, The Gate has become an integral part of our local community.
“Its volunteers and staff are truly committed to giving help and support to those who are most vulnerable and find themselves in need. I am happy to offer my support in any way that I can – even by stowing a (toy) dog in my holiday luggage.”