A COMMUNITY pantry project has teamed up with a housebuilder to provide back-to-school essentials for families in need.

EBI Unite – a community food provision group for Erskine, Bishopton and Inchinnan – is working with Cala Homes West to collect donations ahead of children returning to school after the summer break.

The housebuilder's Gilchrist Gardens development, located off Erskine's Florish Road, will act as a a drop-off point for homeowners and locals to donate back-to-school essentials to families in need on behalf of the charity.

The new school supplies will be given to those within the area who need it most in time for the start of the new school term this month.

Liana Canavan, sales and marketing director of Cala Homes West, said: "With the summer holidays coming to an end, we know it can be a stressful and expensive time for families when preparing to get ready to go back to school.

"We're delighted to have partnered with EBI Unites to become a donation point to make it easier for people to contribute to this brilliant charity. Our doors at our sales office at Gilchrist Gardens are open every day so anyone can drop off a donation – big or small – knowing it is going to an invaluable cause."

The charity accepts new back-to-school items (no second-hand goods) such as pencil cases, calculators, water bottles, lunch boxes, pencils, notebooks and backpacks.

All donations can be dropped off at the sales office at Cala's Gilchrist Gardens development between 10am and 5.30pm every day until Monday, August 8.

Cala will deliver all donated items, including additional contributions from their sales and site teams, to EBI Unites ahead of schools returning. Donations can be dropped off at Gilchrist Gardens, Florish Road, Erskine, PA8 7DZ.

EBI Unites is a group of volunteer organisations local to Erskine, Bishopton and Inchinnan which aims to help improve the lives of those who live and work in Renfrewshire. 

Since its inception, over 120 volunteers have provided vital food and welfare support and nearly 40,000 deliveries have been made to those in need of essential provisions.