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Most businesses and shops are planning to close on the day of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II (Monday September 19), which is a bank holiday. And now some food banks have announced they will be closing too.
The plans sparked a backlash on social media with people criticising the decision as more people than ever are relying on the services provided by food banks. Between April 2021 and March 2022, the Trussell Trust network handed out more than 2.1 million food parcels across the UK, with the number expected to rise this autumn and winter amid the cost-of-living crisis.
However, the charities running the food banks have pointed out that they typically close on bank holidays as the services are staffed by volunteers. One Twitter user added that food banks often take extra measures on the surrounding days of closure, and distribute more resources on the days leading up to a bank holiday to ensure nobody misses out.
1. Food banks shut all the time, including often on weekends, Christmas, and other bank holidays. This is because they are run by people! And these people do care
— Lydia Caradonna 💥 (@LydiaCaradonna) September 13, 2022
London food banks in Southwark and Richmond Hil, plus Trussell Trust sites in Staffordshire, Stoke and Knypersley, have all decided to shut on Monday.
A Trussell Trust food bank in Wimbledon meanwhile reversed its decision to close on Monday after ‘overwhelming’ support from volunteers to reopen. The organisation reminded people that the food bank runs based on goodwill and that it is not a government body. The opening of food banks is reliant on the donation of food, resources and, most importantly, volunteers’ time.
UPDATE: Due to the overwhelming support we have recieved we now have volunteers to run our Monday session as usual. As a reminder we are not a government service and run solely on peoples donations of time, money and food.
— Wimbledon Food Bank (@WimbledonFB) September 13, 2022
A Trussell Trust spokesperson said: ‘Food banks in our network run sessions on different days and at different times.’
‘Food banks are best placed to make the right decision for their communities and will ensure everyone who needs support can access it as they do with every bank holiday,’ she added.
‘As each food bank is an independent charity, we’d encourage people who need support to contact their local food bank to check their opening hours.’
Read more: why are loads of anti-monarchy protesters being arrested?
Plus: here’s everything you need to know about the Queen’s funeral.