Love Gorgie Farm has shared concerns after a spike in Edinburgh residents relying on its food bank as the service struggles to keep up with demand.
Volunteers at the charity have told how the demand that would usually spike at Christmas is continuing to stay unprecedentedly high all year round which is leading to food shortages at the essential service.
The food bank run by Love Gorgie Farm was set up in March 2020 to help locals cope in the pandemic and has been going ever since. Volunteers at the farm run the service without any government funding, instead solely relying on donations from local supermarkets and Fareshare.
READ MORE - Edinburgh resident feels unsafe after gang of teenagers take over neighbourhood
Now the service is desperate for donations and funds, and are collecting Christmas presents as the festive season approaches and many parents will be unable to afford gifts for their children.
Speaking to Edinburgh Live, manager Dolina Gorman said: "The demand for the service has definitely grown. We first opened it up in March 2020 for the Covid-19 pandemic and it was really busy, because people couldn't go out due to restrictions we were doing deliveries.
"It's always busy at Christmas but then it evens out during the rest of the year and can be quieter but this year the demand has been constantly increasing due to the cost of living crisis.
"We have no government funding and are totally run on volunteers and donations. Morrisons have been excellent - sometimes they just donate a full trolley of food. We have had three trollies full this year so far.
"We also get donations from Fareshare and we have now had to get a fridge and freezer for fresh food and are discussing with Fareshare about getting fresh items in the store."
She continued: "It’s just really challenging to get the right items, we always try to provide the things that we would want like tea, coffee and biscuits.
"Simple things that will make a difference. We get stuff from supermarkets but often the items are things that need to be used that day.
"Now the demand is far out weighing the stock and supplies we are able to get. We are one of the only food banks in the city where people don't need a referral so those in need will travel from all over the city to get food.
"It's completely self funded by Gorgie Farm - we thought the red tape of referrals would be a barrier for people who need food that day."
Dolina told how the service works which is located on site at the city farm and charity.
She said: "It’s currently locked as we don't have the volunteers to man it all the time and we have a doorbell for people to ring when they arrive. We certainly get our steps in walking to and from the food bank when someone rings.
"But it does have to be monitored, sometimes people take more than their share and we need to ration the donations, as we have to help as many people as possible. It can be really hard.
"When they arrive I basically just give them a bag and let them into the food bank to take what they need. I just stand back and try not to intefere as people appreciate their privacy and for more and more people its their first time using a food bank and you can see they feel ashamed about it."
The team have noticed a lot of new faces coming down to access the service.
Dolina explained: "There have been a lot of new faces, we get a lot of messages about the food bank and if we deliver across the city. But because we don’t have a van and we don’t have any paid staff, we can't do that anymore sadly.
"All sorts of people rely on the food bank, we get families, older people, single people living alone, those on a low income - it's a total mix.
"But one thing we have noticed is there are more and more new people. Obviously a lot of people find it challenging and a bit embarrassing so we try to respect their privacy which is really important.
"We have been saddened for the need for the food bank, there isn't much government funding just now so its really hard. Unfortunately there is going to be more of a need for food banks with the cost of living crisis continuing."
Many have been overwhelmed with the service that the charity provide and the discretion offered to those struggling.
One local who had to rely on the service said: “I lost my job last week. You saved souls trapped in here. I will never forget that. Much love to all at Gorgie Farm. Hope to see you all soon."
Another person who uses the food bank added: “I just wish to say thank you from the bottom of my heart for your kindness with the delivery I just got. I am not someone who has experienced kindness in my life and I am overwhelmed. Not something I will ever forget."
Sign up for Edinburgh Live newsletters for more headlines straight to your inbox
With the Christmas season approaching sadly many families will struggle to buy gifts for their children so Gorgie Farm are asking for new toys to be donated just now so parents can still give their kids the magic of Christmas.
There is also a fundraising page where you can donate directly to Gorgie Farm and help support the food bank here. On October 31 the charity are hosting a sponsored fire walk for charity to try and raise funds.
The night will include a professional guiding any participants through the thrilling fire walk followed by hot chocolates and Halloween treats and entertainment. You can find out more about taking part here.
READ MORE:
Edinburgh grandparents can eat for free during the October break at popular restaurant
Young Midlothian mum living below Da Vinci rapist 'terrified in her own home'
Sneak peek at Edinburgh Castle of Light winter display as tickets go on sale
Edinburgh University students take over lecture theatre to deliver 'education for liberation'
Edinburgh's 'worst' haunting to be examined in new Paramount TV series
