Scottish Government's pandemic food fund tops £110 million

The Scottish Government's fund to help feed the homeless and others affected by the coronavirus pandemic has topped £110 million.

In March, Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell announced a £350 million package of funding to help tackle harms caused by the pandemic, including a £70 million Food Fund.

The Scottish Government said that £40 million extra funding has since been committed for food initiatives, increasing the total to £110 million.

Social enterprise Social Bite has been awarded an additional £48,500 for its Covid-19 response, with its funding since April now totalling £700,000.

Its team have delivered 500,000 food packs and meals to people in need in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow since April.

Speaking following a visit to Social Bite's central kitchen in Livingston, Ms Campbell said: Like many community groups and charities, Social Bite's team have worked hard making and delivering meals as well as offering a free takeaway service for those most at risk.

I want to thank everyone who has supported people through this time.

Sadly, the demand for such services highlights the terrible impact of the pandemic on people from all walks of life.

Anyone worried about being able to access food should contact the National Helpline on 0800 111 4000.''

Josh Littlejohn, co-founder and CEO of Social Bite, said the company re-purposed its entire infrastructure to provide free food for those who needed it'' after the pandemic hit.

He added: Thanks to support from the Scottish Government, the business community and the public, we were able to mobilise extremely quickly.

This funding will help us provide further support for homeless people and other vulnerable groups in our communities amid the acute challenges of Covid-19.''