A community foodbank in East Kilbride that distributes more than 250 food parcels every week now has a permanent home for the next three decades. Loaves and Fishes had been operating out of Greenhills Hall and Library on a short-term, temporary basis since April last year. However, South Lanarkshire Council last week approved the charity’s bid for a 30-year lease on the building.
Council approves community asset transfer
At a meeting of the housing and technical resources committee on Wednesday, June 3, councillors gave the green light to a community asset transfer deal, which hands over the keys for a nominal rent of just £1 per year. This is in recognition of the huge social value delivered by Loaves and Fishes, and the invaluable work done to support families, pensioners, veterans and vulnerable people across the area for more than 30 years. The long-term lease will now allow the charity to invest in the property and grow its services.
Local councillor praises collaboration
East Kilbride South Councillor Matthew Buchanan, who was closely involved in making the project happen, welcomed the decision. At Wednesday’s meeting, he said: “I worked very closely with Loaves and Fishes, and Waste Not, Want Not, on this. It was quite an ambitious project and collaboration between the two organisations, and of course leisure and culture for the library hub. A lot of people worked very, very hard on it to make it happen, and to make it sustainable. They’ve made a roaring success of it — and I’ve got every confidence that they’ll continue to do so.”
Expanded services and community impact
As well as running the foodbank, Loaves and Fishes has sub-let part of the former library space to Waste Not, Want Not, a local charity with a similar ethos. A small area has also been leased back to the council to maintain a book hosting service, ensuring a library presence remains in the local area. The move from the charity’s previous premises in an industrial park has made a significant difference. A council report noted that the new location has “greatly enabled them to increase service delivery and offer easier access to those most at risk.”
Community support and growth
A community benefit assessment carried out in April 2026 awarded Loaves and Fishes a score of 100 percent — with the community benefit rated as excellent. When a public consultation was held ahead of the original short-term lease, 138 responses were received, all in support. The charity now distributes more than 250 food parcels on a weekly basis — up from just 30 a week before the Covid-19 pandemic. This growth underscores the increasing need for such services and the critical role Loaves and Fishes plays in the community.
