Since April 2013, Edinburgh soup café, Union of Genius, provided 26,400 litres of soup to the Care Van, providing food and support for people in crisis in Scotland’s capital city.
It has been the generosity of Elaine and Bruce that has continuously had a part in sustaining the city-wide operation of the Edinburgh Care Van, catering for people in need over the course of 2,640 nights.
Last week, the pair announced they were stepping away from the business and handing over the keys.
The Edinburgh Care Van offers food and support to people in crisis on the streets of Edinburgh. If people are in need of food, hot drinks, help or just someone to speak to, they can meet the Care Van team at one of their regular stops around the City of Edinburgh.
Ruth Longmuir, our Director of Internal Services, remembers the start of this incredible partnership: “Bruce and Elaine came out on the Care Van in the early days of the arrangement. They were just really keen to support people who were homeless.”
Duncan Cuthill, Chief Executive of Edinburgh City Mission, who partner with Bethany to run the Care Van, expressed their gratitude: “The Care Van is a lifeline for many people and Union of Genius have enabled us to offer absolutely top quality cups of soup on many cold evenings over the past decade.”
Over the last decade, Union of Genius helped to cater for thousands of people to have hot soup for dinner throughout the year.
Showcasing the impact, assorted feedback was gathered by volunteers over the years: “People loved the soup.” … “Excellent soup – well received.” … “The Union of Genius soup went very well.”
The Care Van visits various stops around Edinburgh city centre throughout the year, providing food, hot drinks, help or just someone to speak to for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. In 2022 the project was awarded the prestigious Queen’s Award in recognition of the contribution of the Care Van volunteers and the impact this service has in the community.
We’d love to thank Union of Genius, and Elaine and Bruce, for their compassion, kindness and generosity over the years.