ALDI MUSSELBURGH

We are thrilled that such an amazing company has chosen us as a favourite local charity. The Hollies is located on Musselburgh High Street and supports local people aged 60 and above. Our weekly events allow our guests to meet like-minded people and get involved with fun, creative and health promoting activities. We also look after individuals who have been medically referred. We're experts in our field - our Dementia Respite Unit has received considerable praise. We receive a small grant from the council, however we rely on funds raised from our on-site services. A well known spot among locals, our cafe boasts a cheerful interior and delicious home-made food. For those who love a wee rummage, our recently launched charity shop is proving to be a hit with visitors and staff alike. We also have a Ladies Hairdresser who offers friendly services with professional results. At the moment, we are looking for funds to upgrade the Hollies - in particular, the lunch club space needs transforming. Our lunch club takes place in a lovely bright room overlooking the river Esk. We have hosted many lovely lunches here, but the decoration is a bit tired now. The old carpets have seen better days and the walls have water damage from leaks during the winter months. We'd love to redo the flooring and decoration. We may even be able to furnish the room with new tables and chairs. We are also developing a small garden space to the rear of the property. Our members will grow vegetables and plants in raised beds and enjoy a lovely sitting area and a sensory garden. On sunny days, our members will be able to immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of the river and smell the beautiful flowers we will plant. Another project is raising money to repair our roof. The quote for the main roof work is £7,500 and we need other work done. The front of the building also requires attention and we have received a quote of £2,500 for that. Our lunch club hall roof is needing to be fixed with water damage in the hall due to the leaks on this flat roof. We have fundraised for some of this but we still need a massive amount of funds to complete the work. The Hollies Day Centre SCIO means so much to our members. Your help will really bring a smile to their faces - especially when they see the new lunch club space and garden!

The Food Rescue Group, Edinburgh was established by Suyash Mishra, a student at the University of Edinburgh, to address the growing challenges of food waste, climate change, and local food insecurity. In an era defined by environmental strain, resource scarcity, and ecological imbalance, this initiative is both timely and essential. A core focus of our work is tackling food waste, a significant issue that results in the loss of valuable resources and contributes substantially to methane emissions from landfill. Addressing this problem is both an environmental necessity and a moral responsibility, as redistributing surplus food can provide meaningful support to local families and individuals in need. We work closely with local producers and retailers to ensure surplus food is rescued rather than discarded. These partnerships allow businesses to reduce disposal costs while delivering measurable environmental and social benefits to the community. The day-to-day operation of the Food Rescue Group is led and managed by Suyash and Marina, who oversee all aspects of the initiative. This includes coordinating volunteers, organising surplus food collections, communicating with retailers and partner organisations, managing collection schedules, arranging distribution, responding to last-minute changes, and ensuring food reaches recipient locations safely and on time. Their hands-on management helps maintain an efficient, reliable, and community-centred operation across Edinburgh. Our mission is powered by dedicated local volunteers who collect and distribute surplus food shortly after it becomes available. This rapid turnaround ensures freshness, removes the need for storage, and helps maintain high standards of food safety and quality. Every item is carefully inspected, and any food deemed unsuitable is disposed of responsibly to minimise environmental impact. Volunteer coordination is managed through a dedicated WhatsApp group, providing real-time updates on collection times, locations, and available quantities. Suyash and Marina use this system to coordinate volunteers, respond quickly to changing collection requirements, and ensure the smooth running of rescue and redistribution activities. Through this initiative, we are reducing methane emissions and resource waste by diverting surplus food from landfill. Our work supports those in immediate need while remaining open to anyone who values food, sustainability, and responsible consumption. By engaging a broad cross-section of the community, we aim to foster shared ownership of the solution to food waste. As we continue to develop and refine our approach, we are making meaningful progress towards a more sustainable and inclusive future. Join us in Edinburgh and help make a difference, one meal, one volunteer, and one community at a time.

Our main game is to reduce Food Waste in the local area. This comes from a desire to respond to the Climate Emergency in a practical, urgent way. We want to increase awareness in the community about the environmental impact of food waste and inspire positive changes to behaviour. We hope to address issues of food poverty as part of this project and reach those in our community who are most in need of food. Everyone is welcome at our project, there is no stigma to collecting food and we make it fully accessible. We aim to become a linked in part of the community project ecosystem in Portobello, receiving active support from local organisations like Action Porty, the Town Hall, the Wash House, the Timebank and PEDAL. Our ultimate vision is to prevent food waste whilst creating a sociable space for the community to cook, eat and share food. We are mindful of our carbon use and the impact of our activities. We intend to increase our use of cargo bikes in collecting and delivering food. Food collected is offered to all on Saturday morning from 10.30am. We ask for donation [suggested donation £3 per basket of food]. Part 1: Scarcity within Abundance: Community Fridges and the Contradictions of Food Redistribution (Part 1) | Living Good Food Nation Lab Part 2: Scarcity within Abundance: Community Fridges and the Contradictions of Food Redistribution (Part 2) | Living Good Food Nation Lab