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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
World
David Kent

Massive backlash as UK food bank to close on day of Queen's funeral

A food bank has faced heavy criticism after it announced that it would close next Monday because of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Wimbledon Food Bank in London took to social media to announce the news but faced an incredible backlash.

The funeral date of September 19 has been confirmed as a Bank Holiday Monday by the new King Charles III.

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To mark the funeral, Wimbledon Food Bank said: "Our condolences go out to the Royal family at this sad time. All food bank hubs will be closed on Monday 19th September due to funeral. We will reopen from Tuesday 20th Sept."

But they were eviscerated for the decision by angry members of the public.

The food bank did explain the reasoning further, writing: "We do normally close on Bank Holidays and as this is now a bank holiday we have decided to allow our staff and workers the opportunity to show their respects."

People were left less than impressed, with one person responding: "are you confirming that a dead body is more important than hungry children?"

A second pleaded with the bank to reverse the decision, tweeting: "This is not a good look. I’m sure you do incredible, incredible work but I would urge you to reconsider this choice… people need you x"

A third fumed: "It's bad enough that #FoodBanks have to exist, but to value the funeral of a monarch above those who cannot afford to feed themselves is truly grotesque."

In a similar situation, Center Parcs will close all of its UK villages at 10am on Monday - meaning that anyone staying there will need to find somewhere else to go, or delay their holiday by a day until Tuesday.

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