A community pantry, designed to offer support with food and other supplies to those in need, will no longer be operating due to a shortage of supplies.

The Fraser Centre in Tranent has been running a community pantry within its premises since November 2022 to help with the cost-of-living-crisis.

The pantry was open Monday to Friday from 10am-2pm and Saturday 12pm-3pm.

However, due to a shortage of supplies, the centre has announced that it can no longer provide this service and will cease running the pantry from tomorrow (Saturday).

The centre will continue to offer support where possible and will operate a small emergency food provision as well as sanitary and household items which can be obtained, without referral, from the foyer at the centre.

A spokesperson for the centre said: “Unfortunately our community pantry is very short of stock, and this might be a long term issue.

“As such we will not be opening our community pantry from this Saturday onwards. Instead, there will be a small emergency food provision, household and sanitary items available without referral in our foyer area.

“This will be available to centre users and the public when we are open and available to anyone that needs it without question.”

Councillor Colin McGinn, ward member for Tranent, Wallyford and Macmerry, said: "It's really disappointing to hear that the pantry is closing, but I think it is another sign that people are feeling the pinch at the moment.

"These places rely quite heavily on donations and if people are struggling, then they're not going to be able to donate.

"We have a few pantries across the area, VCEL (Volunteer Centre East Lothian) run one and then the Foodbank too but we know donations are a must.

"I hope it can pick back up again, and I hope this isn't a sign of things to come."