Foodbank+

Foodbank+

Foodbank+ is the Edinburgh City Mission network of food banks, located across 7 sites. We provide essentials for those experiencing deprivation and food poverty, on a referral basis.

There are 7 Foodbanks+, each one being a partnership between a church and Edinburgh City Mission.

We provide the system for professionals to refer those in need and the church volunteers organise the collections of fresh food from Fareshare as well as donations of tinned foods and other food items to pack and give out to those referred.

The ‘+’ in Foodbank+ is significant because the support given throughout our network has always been about more than food, it is about welcoming people into a community and providing whatever support each individual person needs, if they want our help. The “+” can also be seen as a cross signifying our belief that Jesus is the bread of life who gives fullness of life to those who trust in him.

In every Foodbank+ we have a team of people who sit down and have a cuppa and lend a listening ear to those who need help. Often we refer people to other services such as Christians Against Poverty, Your Home Visiting Support or even just local church activity groups and meals. We partner with Citizens Advice Edinburgh who provide energy support, advice and advocacy to any guests needing that help.

We also seek opportunities to pray with people when appropriate and very often our Mission Strengtheners and volunteers offer befriending and emotional support outside the Foodbank+ setting.

Foodbank+ network

We partner with 6 churches in Edinburgh who each run a Foodbank+ with us:

- Bruntsfield Evangelical Church, Bruntsfield
- Wilson Memorial Church, Craigentinny
- Granton Baptist Church, Granton
- Ebenezer United Free Church, Leith
- Tron Kirk Gilmerton & Moredun Church, Moredun
- Community Church Edinburgh (supported by Newington Churches Together), Newington

Edinburgh City Mission continues to operate a referral-only service to provide help for those in genuine need across our whole network. Please note that our services are provided for those who are in extreme financial crisis and have no other way of accessing food.

Refer an individual/family...

Local agencies and practitioners such as doctors, support workers, social workers or church ministers who wish to refer families or individuals for food/clothes support at our Foodbank+ and Clothesbank+ networks can do so using the new system.

Referrals - please see https://edinburghcitymission.org.uk/support/referrals / https://edinburghcitymission.org.uk/support.

If you are from an agency and wish to make a referral please call 0131 225 9445 or email referrals@ecm.org.uk.