WHEN Rena Ioannou lost her husband Andreas to cancer, she needed to keep herself busy. 

The Paisley woman decided the best way to do that was to dedicate all of her time to helping others. 

It’s been five years since the 72-year-old started volunteering with Renfrewshire Foodbank and during that time she has spoken to a lot of vulnerable people in need of help. 

She has met families who are struggling to pay bills and individuals who are so hungry even a biscuit is a lifeline. 

READ MORE: Charity goes that extra mile for Renfrewshire Foodbank

Rena said: “I lost my husband to cancer five years ago and I was struggling for something to occupy my time, so I heard about the foodbank and I started.

“I do seven shifts a week. I do three in the warehouse, three here [in Paisley] and one in Renfrew on a Thursday morning.”

For Rena, it’s the best thing she has ever done. 

“You see the need,” she said. “You talk to people, you try and help them and make them feel a bit better. 

“But it’s heartbreaking. You get kids who don’t understand, they don’t know any better. 

“It can be emotional. There’s people with depression and people with addictions who want to change but they can’t. They’re struggling because the help isn’t readily available. 

“The foodbank is absolutely essential. I saw a gentleman the other day, I gave him his coffee and biscuits and he asked for more biscuits because he hadn’t eaten in three days. 

“It had been over the weekend and he literally hadn’t eaten. He was literally starving. It was very hard but sadly that’s not as rare as it used to be.”

Following the full rollout of Universal Credit in Renfrewshire in September, demand on the service has spiralled. 

The distribution centres, which operate at churches in Paisley, Johnstone, Renfrew and Erskine, are always busy. 

And the majority of people who are given a food package from the foodbank have had various issues with the welfare reform. 

Rena added: “I had a chap in today, who has a child, and his first payment is not until the end of April. This is only April 3. 

“When you’re taken off the benefit you had everything stops. He was taken off a few weeks ago. 

“What happens is you do the Universal Credit claim online then once you are told that you’re getting it, which can take two to three weeks, it stops. 

“He’ll probably end up almost seven or eight weeks since he last had a payment.”

A former florist, business owner, and taxi driver, Rena is no stranger to earning a living. 

However, she now feels her time is best spent supporting the foodbank. 

READ MORE: Benefit changes are set to spark huge rise in Renfrewshire Foodbank demand

She said: “My late husband would want me to do this. He would be very proud. I’m fortunate that Andreas left me alright so I don’t need to work. 

“I would rather do this. Andreas would’ve loved that I’m doing this but he couldn’t have done it He cried at the drop of a hat.”

To find out more about Renfrewshire Foodbank, visit renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk or email info@renfrewshire.foodbank.org.uk

BY JACK THOMSON 

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