A world famous Scottish social enterprise has launched a bid to feed thousands of vulnerable people and families in need during the coronavirus pandemic.
Social Bite will "entirely redeploy" its entire organisation to deliver food packages to homeless people, families that rely on free school meals and those made redundant during the Covid-19 outbreak.
It will deliver 3,000 "food and essentials" packs on weekdays and is now fundraising to help cover the weekend too
Founder Josh Littlejohn, MBE, told The Herald: "We have already seen a sharp rise in demand for people who need free food.
"There is a great deal of anxiety in the homeless community, who have no opportunity to self-isolate because they live in crowded hostels and can't stockpile food.
"But there is a wider need. Thousands of people are going to be made redundant.
"Gig economy workers won't be able to earn but might not manage to access benefits or welfare quickly.
"There is a growing sense of emergency that is going to hit home soon.
"We are going to see desperation and a situation we haven't seen before."
Social Bite applied for funding from the First Minister's Office this week - and was granted "up to half a million pounds" within three days.
On Thursday, the Scottish Government pledged £350 million to those most affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
It promised to "cut red tape" and allow councils, charities, businesses and community group to "respond swiftly... for people impacted economically or through reduced contact with society, including anyone struggling to access food".
Littlejohn said he was "impressed" by the speed at which the government gave him funding.
"I have worked in this space for eight years and have never seen such a quick process," he added.
"The rule book is being torn up - and it has to be because we don't have time to sit on our hands.
"The Scottish Government has been phenomenal."
In a speech to the Scottish Parliament on Thursday, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell said: "We are facing an unprecedented situation that requires an unprecedented response - at scale and pace - to help people most at risk in our community.
"And I want to be clear to the chamber – to the citizens of Scotland – that our actions will be guided by doing all that we can to protect the health, welfare and wellbeing of the people of Scotland."
To pledge money and help Social Bite distribute food seven days week, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/joshua-littlejohn
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