Charity delivers over 1,100 meals to families in need across Edinburgh
Charity the Rapid Relief Team (RRT) has delivered more than 1,100 meals to families in need across Edinburgh in the lead up to Christmas.
To mark this season of giving, the charity is delivering food boxes to families across the country. This included the delivery of 98 food boxes to families facing hardship in Edinburgh, equivalent to 1,176 meals.
With 14 million people in the UK at risk of going hungry because they can’t afford food costs, the charity is stepping in to help struggling families. The RRT has worked with Canal View Nursery and Primary School, Prospect Bank Primary School, and Sighthill Primary School to identify and reach vulnerable families across Edinburgh.
The RRT first started supporting schools in the area following news reports that some teachers were buying food out of their own salary to support pupils from families affected by food poverty. The RRT took action and reached out to schools in need in order to offer some much-needed relief.
As part of this effort, the RRT aimed to lift spirits and bring some joy during the holiday season by delivering its Holiday Food Boxes. Carefully curated by the charity’s volunteers, each box contains a wide selection of non-perishable essentials, including pasta, rice and cereal bars, which provide enough food for 12 nutritious meals. The boxes also included festive treats such as Christmas pudding, custard and candy canes.
The RRT is delivering Holiday Food Boxes at other locations across the UK in a bid to reach as many vulnerable families as possible during the holiday season. First launched in 2019, the RRT Food Boxes provide immediate relief when it is needed most and are used by the charity to help support people in crisis. The Holiday Food Box initiative follows the charity’s success in delivering over 2 million meals to families and children in need in Gaza.
The Rapid Relief Team is made up volunteers from the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and is dedicated to putting compassion into action. The charity offers practical support to charities, emergency services and other organisations supporting those in need across the UK and the world.
Terry Shimwell, RRT Volunteer, said:
“No family should have to worry about where their next meal is coming from, especially during the holidays. With so many people facing rising food costs, we know that even small acts of kindness and compassion can make a real difference.
“Our volunteers were honoured to work with local schools to help reach families in need across Edinburgh. By providing these Holiday Food Boxes, we hope to offer practical support while also bringing a little comfort and joy to families during the festive season.”
ENDS.