Support coping with rising living costs

Food and free sanitary products

Local food pantries and community fridges

Bonnyrigg

  • Bonnyrigg Pitcairn Centre Pantry
  • High Street, Bonnyrigg, EH19 2ET
  • Every Friday 10.30am – 11.30am

Dalkeith & Woodburn

  • Central Dalkeith and Woodburn Pantry - For residents of central Dalkeith & Woodburn.
  • The Woodburn Community Hub, 10 Woodburn Road, Dalkeith. Open Fridays 1.30pm - 5.30pm (closed for 15 minutes at 3pm to refill shelves).
  • Membership is free, one membership card per household. Receive free fruit and veg, and bakery items (when and what available), free pet food to pet owners.
  • St Mary's Church, Dalkeith Country Park, High St, Dalkeith, EH22 2NA: Pet food bank on the first Tuesday of each month, 10am - 12pm. 

Danderhall

  • Danderhall Community Pantry
  • Newton Church Hall, Edmonstone Road, EH22 1QE
  • Every Tuesday 10am – 11am

Gorebridge

  • Gorebridge Beacon 
  • Community Pantry in Gorebridge Beacon: 3pm - 5pm on Tuesdays - sign up to become a member and then shop there for £3.50 a week, getting around £15 worth of groceries – 01875 816320
  • Community Cafe in Gorebridge Beacon: 9am - 2.30pm Tuesday to Saturday. Cafe open, all welcome. If you would like a bowl of soup (free) please say 'Robert Sent You' when you order.  
  • Midlothian Food Bank in Gorebridge Parish Church: Community lunch on Thursdays at 12pm. 50p donation per course.

Mayfield & Easthouses

  • Community Food Pantry (MAEDT) – For residents of Mayfield & Easthouses.
  • 14-15 Bogwood Road, Mayfield, EH22 5DG
  • Sign up to become a member and then shop there for £3.50 a week, getting around £15 worth of groceries – 0131 663 5317
  • Hawthorn Family Learning Centre
  • 2F Bogwood Road, Mayfield, Dalkeith, EH22 5DQ. Open Mondays, 8.30am - 10.30am. 
  • Services include: food larder, recipes and ingredients, free sanitary products, community wardrobe, financial advice from Citizens Advice Bureau and community information.
  • No referrals required. 

Newtongrange

  • Newtongrange Development Trust.
  • Newtongrange Pantry, 67 Gardiner Place, Newtongrange, EH22 4RT: Sunday 11am - 1pm. Free membership and £3.50 for the credits.

Rosewell

  • The Steading community fridge. The food in the fridge is available to those in need or anyone struggling with the current cost of living crisis.
  • Open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1pm - 5pm. Outwith these times please ask a member of staff at reception who would be happy to help, as long as items are available.

Penicuik

  • Food Fact Friends community pantry and fridge
  • Community Fridge: Monday to Friday, 10am - 3pm and Saturday 11am - 1pm. Bag of produce for £1.50
  • Midlothian Pantry: open to all Midlothian residents. £4 for a pantry shop, £2 per month membership: Monday to Friday 10.30 – 12 and 1pm-3pm and Saturday 11am – 1pm
  • Community café - free tea, coffee, soup etc. Monday to Friday 10am-3pm and Saturday 11am- 1pm
  • Paws Pantry: Monday to Friday 10am-3pm and Saturday 11am-1pm. Free cat and dog food
  • Community lunch: Monday 1pm at Ladywood Leisure Centre

If you can't afford food

  • Apply to the Scottish Welfare Fund or call 0131 270 5600
  • Speak to your CAB worker, health visitor, primary/secondary school contact
  • Visit your local food pantry
  • Access your community fridge
     
  • If you still need support for food please call 0131 271 3900
  • If a family with children 0-18 years old please call 0131 271 3413

If you can afford food but need help to get it

  • Call the Red Cross helpline 0808 196 3651. It's free and confidential and open 10am - 6pm.
  • Food Train – (age 65+) 0800 13 88 220 (FREE) 
  • Twitter: @MidHelp (9am - 5pm weekdays)  

Free school meals and clothing grants

We provide children from low income families with free school meals and money towards buying school clothes. People over 16 staying on at school and living on their own can also apply.

Free sanitary products

We have free sanitary products (tampons and sanitary towels) in toilets in various buildings across Midlothian. Take what you need as stocks are refilled regularly.

 

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