RBS has turned its has turned its Edinburgh conference centre into a distribution centre to supply food and hygiene products to charities during the coronavirus pandemic.
The bank is appealing for businesses to donate any non-perishable food and hygiene products to help keep food banks well stocked.
RBS has converted the Gogarburn HQ site to help the Trussell Trust and its network of food banks, and Social Bite, a charity which is aiming to provide 4000 food packs a day over the next three months for vulnerable people, in sourcing and distributing much-needed food and hygiene supplies.
Malcolm Buchanan, RBS Scotland board chair, said: “This is a challenging time for everyone in Scotland and it is important that everyone looks out for one another. This is a time when we can work together to make a positive difference to some of the most vulnerable in our society. We are calling on the public and companies who have the time or the resource and to get involved in our appeal.
“Our Gogarburn Conference Centre will become a temporary food distribution centre for the Trussell Trust and Social Bite, with many of our colleagues volunteering their time to support and help these groups reach as many deserving people and families as possible.”
The temporary drop-off and distribution centre is now ready to accept donations of non-perishable foods and hygiene products to meet the unprecedented increase in demand the two charities are currently facing.
RBS’s catering contractors Baxter Storey and Benugo have already pledged to donate food from the bank’s kitchens.
Social Bite co-founder Josh Littlejohn commented: “People who are homeless or in food poverty need support more now than ever. Social Bite are also raising funds for our production and distribution of 4000 free fresh meals every day for the next three months, which is especially important for those who aren't able to prepare and heat food – please donate if you can."
Laura Ferguson, operations manager for Scotland at the Trussell Trust, added: “As the coronavirus pandemic develops, we are working closely with our food banks to support them to continue to provide the lifeline of emergency food for people in crisis.
“We’re extremely grateful for the support from Royal Bank of Scotland which helps us remain agile to respond to the changing situation and deploy resources to support people who don’t have enough money for the essentials throughout this time. We couldn’t continue to do what we do without this kind of support.”
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