Social Bite Festival of Kindness seeks Edinburgh locals to help to raise donations and joy in the city

• The Edinburgh Festival of Kindness campaign kicks off on Castle Street
• The charity is calling for locals to rally to help hit target of providing 300,000 gifts, meals and essential items to homeless and vulnerable people this Christmas

Leading homelessness charity, Social Bite, is calling on kind-hearted Edinburgh locals of all ages to help raise 300,000 gifts, meals and essential items to donate to people experiencing homelessness this Christmas season as part of its Festival of Kindness (from Monday 25^th November).

The charity’s annual campaign is returning to the city for its fifth year, as it continues its mission to help end homelessness and spread some much-needed festive joy throughout November and December. This year donations can be made to the city’s Tree of Kindness on Castle Street.

Since 2019, Edinburgh locals have contributed generously towards Social Bite’s yearly target of 300,000 gifts, essentials and Christmas meals, which went towards providing vulnerable people and people experiencing homelessness with a loving Christmas.

Homelessness has been declared as a national emergency, and food poverty is on the rise, so more people are facing a desperate winter than ever before, including families with children. This is why each year Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness aims to bring joy and comfort to those who are facing a difficult Christmas, and this year that may be needed more than ever.

As well as gifts hand delivered to the Social Bite Tree of Kindness, those looking to take part can also donate virtually. Donations of just £28 could provide someone with a hot Christmas meal, a gift, a bundle of essential items and a bed for the night.

Supporters can also choose to donate items including a pack of warm gloves for £10, or even 10 winter essential items and backpack for £250: there are so many ways to get involved and help support people who need it most at this time of year.

Founder of Social Bite, Josh Littlejohn MBE, said: “Across the UK, homelessness is increasing. Earlier this year, the Scottish government homelessness report revealed a 5% increase in homelessness applications in Edinburgh, and just recently, the city’s vulnerable took a further hit with the announcement that 1,200 affordable homes will be cut from plans due to lack of funding. That means this year, our Festival of Kindness is more important than ever. 

“The people of Edinburgh have generously supported Festival of Kindness for the past four years. This year, we’re asking them to once again demonstrate that warm-heartedness they’re famous for and donate at our Tree of Kindness or online.” 

Over and above the tree located on Edinburgh’s Castle Street, four other Trees of Kindness have been installed across the UK. Donors can bring physical gifts to the trees which will be distributed to homeless and vulnerable people in time for Christmas, including:

• Glasgow – Vinicombe Street
• Dundee – Union Street
• London – the Strand, outside Charing Cross station
• Aberdeen – outside the Bon Accord Centre

For anyone who can’t make it along to the Festival of Kindness donation points, contributions can also be made online at social-bite.co.uk/festival-of-kindness/.

The charity, in collaboration with people they support, has created a wish list of items and gifts that vulnerable people and people experiencing homelessness want most at this time of year.

These include a warm pair of gloves, a hot water bottle and a torch, good quality socks, and toys and warm clothing for children living in temporary accommodation to open on Christmas morning.

Donors can also buy a Christmas dinner, a gift, a pack of essential items and overnight emergency accommodation for £28.