Edinburgh foodbanks appeal to people not to raid their collection bins

Lockdown leads to reduction in opening hours

Five of the eight foodbanks run by Edinburgh Food Project are continuing to operate

A FOODBANK charity in the Capital has appealed to members of the public to treat its work with respect after panic buyers raided its supermarket collection points for hard-to-find items.

Edinburgh Food Project said other people had visited its foodbanks without referrals in the hope of obtaining goods they could not get in the shops.

Following the coronavirus lockdown, the charity said it had taken the difficult decision to reduce the number of centres open across the Capital from eight to five.

The charity has appealed for members of the public to respect its work

Edinburgh Food Project director Bethany Biggar said the main priority was to ensure the safety people coming to the foodbanks whether it be to seek support, to volunteer or to make a donation.

She said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the generosity of the local community for continuing to donate food, money and time to ensure that we can continue support to those in crisis.

“We believe that the strength of our staff, volunteers and communities will see us through the

pandemic, but individuals must respect our services.

“I was deeply disappointed to learn of panic

buyers stealing essential items from our supermarket collection bins. Whilst we appreciate that the current situation is very serious and understand the worry and uncertainty, please consider those in need of our donations.

“I was equally disappointed to learn that individuals have visited our foodbank centres without referrals in the hope that we can provide them with items unavailable in the supermarkets. This is not what we are here for and this behaviour must end.

“We have a robust referral system in place to ensure that those who access our services receive necessary advice and support. This should not be abused.”

Three of the charity’s foodbank centres - Rannoch, Prestonfield and Broughton - have now closed for the foreseeable future.

Craigmillar is closed on Saturdays, but still open Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11am-2pm.

Pilton is now based at Fet Lor Youth Centre, 122 Crewe Road South, and will be open Mondays and Wednesdays, 1-3pm and Fridays 10am-12:30pm.

Members of the public can donate money and order food deliveries direct to our warehouse

here: https://edinburghnw.foodbank.org.uk/give-help/