Words by Smiley Team
In a bid to spread some much-needed festive goodwill and kindness, the Social Bite is asking Scots to donate meals, gifts and accommodation for those who need it most this Christmas as part of their Festival of Kindness.
Following the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, homeless and vulnerable people need help and support more than ever and Social Bite has set a target of providing 250,000 meals and essential items over the winter months.
Social Bite, with the support of Essential Edinburgh and West End BID, has installed two 10 metre tall Christmas trees in Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square and Glasgow’s Vinicombe Street and is asking people across the country to buy one extra gift, drop it under the tree and contribute to a movement of kindness.
The charity has created a gift wish list of the things homeless and vulnerable people need the most – from a warm pair of gloves, a hot water bottle and a torch to good quality socks and toys for children to open on Christmas morning.
Passers-by can drop their gifts at the trees in Edinburgh and Glasgow and take in the Christmas lights in St Andrew Square Winter Garden. All gifts will then be distributed by Social Bite’s dedicated team to those who need it most, just in time for Christmas.
Monetary contributions can also be made at donation points across the cities or online for those unable to make it out. All money donations will be invested in three areas – food provision; gifts and essential items; and funding warm shelter and accommodation to those who are sleeping rough, in partnership with Glasgow City Mission and Bethany Christian Trust.
Social Bite has already produced and distributed over 815,000 food pack and essential items to vulnerable people since the pandemic began in Scotland and the charity is hoping that the kindness of the Scottish public can bring this number to over one million items distributed to those who need them.
"With the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, this Christmas is going to be especially tough for Scotland’s homeless population." Social Bite co-founder and CEO, Josh Littlejohn MBE, said.
"For those without a safe place to call home, a small act of kindness can mean the world. At Social Bite, we have seen some extraordinary examples of kindness during the pandemic and we’re asking people to come together and spread some festive cheer.
“I would like to encourage everyone to make a financial donation or come and drop a gift at our dedicated Christmas trees in Edinburgh and Glasgow and we will get them to those who need them most. Even the smallest of gifts, like a warm pair of socks or hot water bottle, will make a huge difference and we feel truly passionate that everyone deserves some sort of gift this Christmas. We’re really proud to have worked together with partner organisations to bring this project to life and continue to help further tackle homelessness in Scotland. Please join us and help spread kindness and hope this Christmas.”
Social Bite has a track record of successful fundraising events, having previously hosted ‘Sleep Out’ events in Edinburgh, London and New York, with the latter attended by Hollywood A-listers Dame Helen Mirren and Will Smith in 2019.
The Festival’s ‘Trees of Kindness’ will be installed in St Andrew Square in Edinburgh and Vinicombe Street in Glasgow from November 26th to December 23rd. The sites will be open for donations from Monday to Wednesday, 12pm to 2pm, and Thursday to Sunday, 10.30am to 7.30pm.
To find out more or donate, please visit https://festive.social-bite.co.uk/
Social Bite will be joining us for our next Smiley Talk which focusses on Ending Homelessness & Building Resilient Communities. Tune in at 1pm on 1st December and get involved in the conversation!
