He visited the local food bank collection point at the Cuckoo Bridge Tesco in Dumfries as they launched their annual food bank weekend campaign and spoke with volunteers and staff about how important even the smallest donation can be.
He then visited the Trussell Trust Food Bank which benefits from the collections at Apex on Friars Vennel in Dumfries.
Mr Smyth said: “Speaking with the volunteers gives you a real insight into how much even someone donating a single item of food to the foodbank collection can make.
“This drive is especially important because food bank collection points, such as the ones at Tesco, makes it very simple to donate.
“People can simply buy a few extra items with their weekly shop and put them into the donation point.”
He also visited the Trussell Trust Food Bank at Apex which is one of two in Dumfries and added: “The food is taken to the charity bank and organised in such a way that gives the most benefit to its users.
“By ensuring people most in need can get this food is a deeply under-appreciated but vital part of the charity.”
