Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
King Charles showed his support at a Scottish food bank and charity supporting people facing homelessness and families struggling with the cost of living crisis.
The Gate in Clackmannanshire, east-central Sctoand, which was set up 14 years ago, offers practical help and provides a safe environment for people affected.
It became a critical organisation in the area when the need became apparent – offering a cafe, book club, drop-in sessions and even a bingo breakfast for the community.
Wearing a red and green kilt, His Majesty met volunteers and staff in the cafe, and is later set to meet representatives of the charities who have been presented with a Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service or a King’s Award for Voluntary Service.
Voluntary organisations which have been commended with the honour include Forth Valley Welcome, Homestart Clackmannanshire and Breathe Easy – all of whom host events for those in the local community, offering support and a safe space.
In addition to its food bank, The Gate has opened several ‘food larders’ to provide extra support to people and families, which have been supported by schools and local businesses as demand has increased in recent years.
Following a recent refurbishment, The Gate now runs cooking classes and has been cooking any surplus food stocks to supply nutritious meals to families. The organisation also provides free or subsidised school uniforms all year round.
An associated charity shop, The Hub, says it supplies “good quality clothing, household items and toys”.
As The Gate has grown in line with the projects undertaken and the needs of the local community, it now has eleven members of staff and relies on around 80 to 90 volunteers.
The charity has recruited, where possible, from their volunteer bank, including offering two supported training placements to young people who have experienced barriers to employment in the past.
King Charles has been in Scotland conducting various engagements. Yesterday, the King took part in the the 35th anniversary celebrations of the King’s Foundation at Dumfries House near Cumnock.
The monarch was joined by singer Sir Rod Stewart and his wife, Penny Lancaster, at the ceremony for the organisation which he founded as the Prince of Wales’ Institute of Architecture in 1990.