Two Edinburgh friends have taken it upon themselves to open a food bank in order to try to plug any gap left by other organisations closing for the Queen’s funeral on Monday September 19.
Jack Wilcox and Julie O’Neill from Leith, will set up their food bank for Monday 19 on Albion Road outside of the Famous Five stand at Easter Road stadium from 10am to 12pm.
The removal man and his school cleaner pal decided to set up the operation after hearing that food banks were choosing or being forced to close their doors for the day of the Queen’s funeral.
READ MORE: All the Edinburgh food banks to close on Queen's funeral bank holiday
Jack said he felt it was ‘wrong’ and that he found it ‘appalling’ that people could go hungry whilst extortionate amounts of money were being spent on a lavish state funeral.
So far the dynamic duo have raised over £300 to create essential food packs and have also received numerous food parcels from work colleagues as well as 12 from the Leith Victoria Boxing Gym as well as QT’S café in Newhaven.
As well as running their in person food bank, the caring pair will also be doing home deliveries to those that need them in the Edinburgh and Lothians areas.
On the food bank they are running, Jack said: “We will be providing a food bank at Albion Road outside the Famous Five stand at Easter Road stadium from 10:00am till 12 noon.
“We will then be delivering to anybody who needs an extra hand Edinburgh and the Lothians after that.
“So far we have raised over £300 and have received numerous food parcels from work colleagues, along with 12 from Leith Vic Boxing Gym and have had shopping bags provided by QT'S café in Newhaven.
“We think it is appalling that people could be forced to go without whilst billions of pounds is spent on a state funeral.
“It’s wrong food banks are closing for it although this may be down to the buildings being closed as opposed to food bank organisers making the call themselves.
“If anyone need any support then they can contact me or Jules O'Neill by private message on facebook.
“Since we have reached our cash donation limit we are looking for food parcels only now.
“Anything left over from the day will be donated to Steps to Hope food kitchen in the West End of Edinburgh’s city centre.
“Anyone looking to make a cash donation can contact Siobhan Campbell or Richard Roncero at Steps to Hope.”
A number of food banks in Edinburgh and East Lothian have stated that they are set to close on Monday as the Queen's funeral takes place at Westminster Abbey.
Monday 19 has been made a public holiday and services, shops and schools around the country are shutting their doors as a result.
This will include over a dozen food banks in Scotland.
In North East Edinburgh, four food banks will be shut according to the Trussell Trust website.
Food banks that will be closed on the day of the funeral include:
- 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."
You can read more about the food bank closures on the Edinburgh Live website here.
You can contact Jack via Facebook here or Julie via Facebook here.
And you can also get in contact with Steps to Hope through their Facebook page here.
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