A number of food banks in Edinburgh and East Lothian are set to close on Monday as the Queen's funeral will take place in London.
Monday September 19 2022 has been made a public holiday following the death of Her Majesty The Queen and services, shops and schools around the country are shutting their doors. Over a dozen food banks in Scotland are also expected to close.
According to Trussell Trust, the food bank organisation has distributed over 2.1 million food parcels in 2021-22 and this number is expected to grow as the cost of living crisis deepens.
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The Trussell Trust network is comprised of 45 operators who run 118 food bank centres across 28 local authorities in Scotland with centres in Leith, Southhouse Broadway, Gorebridge, Tranent in East Lothian and Dunfermline in Fife amongst others.
It has been confirmed that a number of food banks will be closed on Monday. In North East Edinburgh, four food banks will be shut according to the Trussells Trust website, but the charity stresses that centre do normally operate on different days.
Food banks closed on Monday September 19
- North Leith Parish
- Leith St Andrew Church Hall
- Pilrig St Pauls Parish Church
- St Margaret's Parish Church
- Blythswood Care
- East Lothian Foodbank
- Salvation Army Donation Centre
You can see the opening times of your local food bank here or call the free helpline on 0808 208 2138.
On Facebook, Trussell Trust adds that while a number of food banks will be closed, they said: "To help everyone in their community who needs it, food banks often open for longer or run extra sessions around bank holidays."
Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust, said: “Food banks in our network run sessions on different days and at different times, and it is standard practice for them to be closed on bank holidays when the majority of referral organisations are also closed.
"Food bank operating hours are scheduled based on need locally – for some this may be two hours a week, and others may need to run sessions multiple times a week to ensure everyone who is referred is supported.
“Local food banks are best placed to make the right decision about whether to open or not on Monday and those that are shut will ensure everyone who needs support can access it."
She adds: "Food banks often provide additional provision around bank holidays such as providing food parcels to alternative locations that are open such as fire stations or running additional, or longer sessions around the bank holiday. As each food bank is an independent charity, we’d encourage people who need support to contact their local food bank to check their opening hours.
“Sadly, the pandemic and the cost of living crisis have led to increased need at food banks as more people struggle to afford the essentials such as food. The reaction regarding the possibility that food banks may be shut over a bank holiday illustrates that society is becoming dependent on charitable, volunteer-run organisations to help people to survive, and that is not right.
"Food banks were set up to provide short-term support to people in an emergency, they are not a lasting solution to hunger and poverty, and they should not need to exist. The only way to stop people facing hunger in the UK is for the government to make a long-term commitment to support people on the lowest incomes and establish a social security system that ensures everyone can afford the essentials in life, like food.”
Writing on Facebook, James Campbell Blythswood Chief executive said: "Blythswood Care’s Board of Trustees and staff join the nation in mourning for Her Majesty The Queen. Our heartfelt sympathies are extended to all members of The Royal Family and Household, as we honour Her Majesty The Queen’s long service and duty to the country.
"We pray for our new King, His Royal Highness King Charles III that the Lord would bless his reign and the nation in the days ahead.
"Monday September 19, the date of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s state funeral, will be a national bank holiday.
"Blythswood Care will close on this day. We want to allow our staff the opportunity to pay their respects to Her Majesty and commemorate her reign, while marking the final day of the period of national mourning.
"We shall also be pausing all social media activity until after the State Funeral."
You can see the opening times of your local Trussells Trust food bank here or call the free helpline on 0808 208 2138.
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