Local businesses launch campaign to tackle food poverty in Glasgow

The Gate and community football team, Glasgow Saints FC, come together to launch Close The Distance, a community charity campaign to tackle food poverty and help the most vulnerable across the city.

Article Source: The Gate
Last Updated: 9 November 2020 14:05

Launching today, the campaign will raise vital funds for the newly launched Kindness Homeless Street Team through donations raised from limited edition cocktail sales from The Gate and a clothing drive throughout the month.

Community lies at the heart of everything The Gate does, and they will donate 100% of proceeds of their limited edition ‘Kindness Cocktail” towards the charity. They’ll be announcing a new Kindness cocktail each week and to mark the launch, they’ve collaborated with Scottish farm to bottle spirit producer, Arbikie to create An East of the City Sour. A punchy autumn mix with Arbikie gin, cassis, cranberry, rosemary and citrus.

Priced at £10 for two premium cocktails, simply order online at www.glasgowcocktails.co.uk and collect from The Gate, helping to raise much-needed money for Glasgow’s most vulnerable.

Launched during the March lockdown, the Kindness Homeless Street Team is a community group which supports Glasgow's homeless and vulnerable people. They provide food, clothing, toiletries and emotional support to any friends on the street.

Money raised from this campaign will go towards the charity’s purchase of a suitable vehicle to carry equipment for their street teams and to supply a hot food station, allowing them to collect essential donations from the public across the city and distribute effectively to those in need.

Phil Robins, team member at The Gate explains the new campaign: “‘Closing the Distance’ is an expression used a lot in professional boxing, meaning stepping in and moving past your opponent’s guard, so that you can go to work on them at close range. We want to take that action and use it in a positive way, stepping past current obstacles and working closely with other community-based organisations to find ways of safely helping those in need, especially
at this time.

“The word ‘distance’ has been at the forefront of our minds over the
last few months and we hope to maybe lessen the negative connotations around the word through our initiative.

“The Gate has always prided itself on living and breathing hospitality and making the pub a place where everyone feels welcome and looked after but we believe that this duty of care goes beyond our four walls.

“We’re delighted to team up with Glasgow Saints F.C. They share similar values to us, with the added goal of helping to combat food poverty and isolation through their club. Together we hope to make a positive impact on those within our communities who need it most.”

Glasgow Saints F.C. will be gathering donations of warm or waterproof clothing throughout the month. They will also accept any dry foods and personal hygiene products. You can book in a doorstep collection or drop off at Fearless Space - 116 Sword street.

Kyle Burgess, goalkeeper at Glasgow Saints F.C. said: “We started Glasgow Saints F.C as a means to bringing people together within our community, to help those in need and bring people who otherwise may have not met, together for our values of solidarity and community.

“It's a pleasure to team up with The Gate and be able to help our fellow humans. It will never be enough, but with more of us encouraging each other to do better, it's a step in the right direction.

“Help us support our local community, buy a Kindness Cocktail from The Gate this month or alternatively donate any essential items towards our clothing drive.”

How to Support:
To support the Close The Distance campaign head to www.glasgowcocktails.co.uk and order their limited edition Kindness Cocktail. Cocktails are for collection only from The Gate, and 100% of profits will go to the Kindness Homeless Street Team.

To donate essential clothing items at Glasgow Saints, Fearless Space (116 Sword street), the drop off times throughout November are:
Mon - 9.30am - 4pm
Tue - 9.30am - 4pm
Fri - 9am - 5pm
Sat - 9am - 5pm
Sun - 6pm - 8pm

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