A Glasgow clothing store plans to hold a pop-up food bank on the day of the Queen’s funeral - and has stated that lifeline services being shut on the bank holiday is "wrong".
West End clothing store The Blankfaces - which works to end homelessness - will be launching the temporary service on Monday, September 19, from 9am until 6pm.
The decision came after the store noticed several city food banks announcing closures due to the upcoming bank holiday, which Blankfaces founder Gerard McKenzie-Govan stated is "wrong".
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Queen Elizabeth’s funeral has prompted major retailers, supermarkets and entertainment venues to close for the day or part of it.
This includes the likes of Asda, Cineworld, John Lewis and more.
Speaking to the Glasgow Times, Mr McKenzie-Govan said: “Food banks being shut down because of a funeral is wrong.
“Poverty doesn’t stop because a nation mourns.
"People are still going to be hungry and need things. You don’t just use food banks for food, people use them for sanitary products, nappies and more."
The 40-year-old added: “You look at everything that’s going to be shut - it’s just one day but everything has to shut and there are still going to be people starving and if there is anything at all we can do for them we will.
“We aren’t trying to doing this to profit, we are doing this to help in any way we can.”
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The store is looking for dry goods, non-perishables such as tinned foods, powdered milk, nappies, and sanitary products amongst other things.
Blankfaces advertised the plans via social media this week, stating: "On Monday we will be acting as a temporary food bank at 427 Great Western Road.
"If you know of anyone in need of food etc or are looking to donate to a food bank, please feel free to pop in."
Mr McKenzie-Govan said the response to the temporary food bank has been “overwhelming”, stating that the shop has had “a huge amount” of drop-offs so far.
However, the store is still accepting drop-offs until and during Monday.
Prior to the launch, Mr McKenzie-Govan wants the Glasgow public to know they are there for everyone.
He said: “We're open for everyone. We’re here.
“We want to be very open with it and try to accommodate people in any way we can.”
You can find The Blankfaces store on Great Western Road.
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