A number of food banks across Scotland will shut down for the royal funeral on Monday, Trussell Trust has confirmed.
As reported on Glasgow Live, shops and other businesses across the UK have confirmed that they will be closing their doors on the day of the monarch's funeral on September 19.
In addition to supermarkets and some shops in Glasgow Airport, food banks have also announced their closure which has been met with widespread criticism.
It comes as Wimbledon Food Bank announced they would not be opening on the day of the funeral - but later said that due to "overwhelming support" they now have "volunteers to run our Monday session as usual" adding: "As a reminder we are not a government service and run solely on peoples donations of time, money and food."
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A total of three food bank centres are set to close their doors and the local list can be found below.
Glasgow Live reached out to the Trussell Trust for a comment.
Emma Revie, Chief Executive, 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. 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."
The Trussell Trust boss commented that the reaction to news of closures highlights the stark need for such services today.
She added: “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.”
The news comes as a Glasgow clothing store, The Blankfaces, announced they will be opening a temporary food bank on Monday as "poverty doesn't stop because a nation mourns".
Greater Glasgow Trussell Trust food banks closed on Queen's funeral:
Food banks which are usually open on a Monday and will be closed this Monday on the bank holiday:
- Glasgow SE Foodbank – Their distribution centre at Glasgow Elim Church in Govanhill
- East Dunbartonshire Foodbank – Their distribution centres at Kirkintilloch Baptist Church in Kirkintilloch and Colston Wellpark Centre in Springburn
- Rutherglen and Cambuslang Foodbank – Their distribution centre in Rutherglen Community Baptist Church in Rutherglen
Food banks which are usually open on a Monday and will be open this Monday:
- Glasgow NE Foodbank – Their distribution centre at Calton Parkhead Parish Church in Parkhead
- Glasgow SW Foodbank – Their distribution centre at Ibrox Parish Church in Ibrox
- Renfrewshire Foodbank – Their distribution centre at Central Baptish Church in Paisley
For a full list of food bank opening times, you can visit their website here.
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