Penicuik foodbank’s move creates new community hub

The Food, Facts, Friends foodbank’s new premises in Penicuik Precinct were officially opened last Friday by Lothian List MSP Michelle Ballantyne.

Food, Facts, Friends Foodbank and Community Hub (Penicuik) Michelle Ballantyne cuts the cake with Mark Wells (Food bank founder). Photos by Alan Wilson.

The foodbank moved from St Mungo’s Church Hall to the new premises in August. The larger, former RBS branch has enabled the charity to extend the range of facilities beyond a basic foodbank, to include access to support agencies in Midlothian such as Citizens Advice, Children 1st , Woman’s Aid and DWP, all available to help those in need.

Johnny Costello, service manager, Children 1 st Midlothian, said: “The Food, Facts, Friends Community Hub gives families in Penicuik a central, safe space for help and support through the hub. By working in partnership, we can help families get the support they need, when they need it, to help children live in happier, stronger families.”

Founder and project leader Mark Wells welcomed a small number of guests, due to Covid restrictions, to the new community hub premises. Town Crier Mose Hutcheson acted as master of ceremonies and introduced the speakers.

Food, Facts, Friends Foodbank and Community Hub (Penicuik) Michelle Ballantyne unveils the commemerative plaque with Mark Wells (Founder) Michelle Ballantyne cuts the cake with Mark Wells (Food bank founder)

Mark told of the foodbank originally operating from a shipping container at the back of Tower Shopping Centre, then moving to St Mungo’s Church Hall and the support he received from the church. He thanked all the many supporters and volunteers, giving their time and financial support to make this day possible.

Michelle Ballantyne (Con) said: “This new community hub is not a foodbank. Give a fish and you feed a man for a day, give him a rod and line, and you enable him to feed himself for life. The new community hub is going It goes further than food, addressing root causes of poverty, not just a tin of beans for a day.”