Bute Advice Centre set up the food bank on Bute to answer the needs of those in a desperate situation of having no food in the cupboard. The food bank has been well supported which is a fantastic reflection on the compassion of our community however, we need to ask much deeper questions about why such a service is required and what other responses we can make to remove the need for such a service.
According to Scottish Neighbourhood Statistics 17.64% of our total population are employment deprived, the majority are out of work however there are significant numbers claiming key benefits that suggest people in work are also suffering poverty.
In the last quarter of 2012 an average 22.75% of our population claimed key benefits. Whilst 16 – 24 year olds are most likely to be unemployed with 21.78% claiming benefits; the hardest hit are likely to be in 50-64 year old bracket with an astonishing 25.77% claiming benefits. 
Clearly there is a need to develop our economy and create jobs that are sustainable and deliver a living wage. Fyne Futures is a registered charity was aims and objectives to tackle this but much more is needed.
The collaboration with Bute Advice Centre to tackle food poverty is exploring how else we can empower people to take action and achieve sustainable rural living.
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