S Harrison, which has an active presence in the city, invited Edinburgh Food Project to provide a shopping list detailing their requirements and products that will benefit the local community at this time of year.

The goods were purchased at Tesco and the supermarket giant generously supplemented the order with further donations of food, treats and household essentials.

Edinburgh Food Project is affiliated with The Trussell Trust, which supports a nationwide network of foodbanks to provide emergency food and support to people locked in poverty, as well as campaigning for change in order to end the need for foodbanks in the UK. More than 5,100 emergency food parcels were provided for people every day from April until September this year on average, by foodbanks in the Trussell Trust network.

S Harrison has made a significant investment in Edinburgh in recent years and is currently considering further opportunities across Scotland’s central belt. The company has also secured planning permission for a new hotel on Osborne Terrace that will see a 1970s office building within the Haymarket area, transformed into a new 157-bedroom hotel, with a restaurant and bar on the ground floor. The developer is also exploring opportunities for a 0.6-hectare site on Ocean Drive in Leith.

David Clancy, development director from S Harrison, said: “We like to work closely with local well-run charities that make a genuine difference to people in the areas where we operate. Members of our team have personally delivered the consignment to Edinburgh Food Project, in order to meet the Christmas demand.

“It’s no secret that lots of people are facing hardship right now for all types of reasons and if this donation can help to make life easier over the festive season, then it will be well worth it, and we hope it could also inspire others to support local foodbanks.”

Sheila Sneddon, volunteer manager at Edinburgh Food Project, said: “Foodbanks operate under difficult circumstances and rely heavily on help and donations from local people and businesses, as well as our army of volunteers, who are all firmly committed to tackling hunger in Edinburgh. This is especially true during the festive season, when we always experience an increase in demand for our services.

“This year is likely to be perilous for more people than normal due to the ongoing pandemic and soaring energy costs, which means some people are being forced to choose whether to turn the heating on or buy food. As a result, we’re extremely grateful to have S Harrison’s support and there’s no doubt it will make a big difference to those who rely on our help.”