OSP Pantry of Donations

The Hall below our lovely church is filled every Monday lunchtime with a lively mix of people who belong to our local “Old Town” Community.

Some are students taking a lunchtime break but may bring a bit of study to check over while they eat; some office or shop workers, glad for a change of scene; some travellers with time on their hands waiting for a train from Waverley Station opposite; or tourists who’ve found out that this is an interesting place to drop in. Good conversation is part of our Community and the “mix” of people important.

There are also some – all God’s children and so our family in Christ – that may be described as “living on the edge”, a fragile life-style, which we may be relieved is not our own way of managing day after day, week after week, but which inevitably prompts us to count our daily blessings.

One of the real needs we have discovered from those who queue up, waiting for the door to open at 12;30 – anticipating a nourishing meal in which none of us is ever disappointed – is that many of our most vulnerable neighbours greatly value small extra gifts of support, which may be shared from our own weekly shopping – things we ma “take for granted”. Just add extra portions of “this” or “that” as you do your weekly shopping. Please do not think of this giving as a ‘one off’ effort. Maybe put a reminder as a footnote to your list: “remember the poor”. It can easily become a good routine and a regular stewardship activity.

The following types of items are in demand: (List first published for our Harvest Thanksgiving.)

• Packeted dried food:
  • cuppa-soup
  • dehydrated foods – things that are light to carry and easy to prepare and consume
• Tinned food:
  • soup
  • vegetables
  • meat
  • fish
  • ready meals – especially with ring-pulls for easy opening
• Toiletries
  • toothbrushes
  • toothpaste
  • soap
  • face-cloths

When shopping consider places with an ethical bent, such as:

• Dig In (in Bruntsfield)
• One World Shop (under St John’s Princes St)
• Real Foods
• The Co-Op

When looking for brands, consider examples such as:

• Suma
• Clipper