Here's What Happened To Food Left Behind By Queen Elizabeth Mourners
If you've been to a large event, you've probably heard the phrase: "You can't take it with you." And for those who were queued up to see Queen Elizabeth II's coffin as she lay in state at Westminster Hall, the "it" was a snack you brought with you as you waited in the five-mile line, reports the BBC.
As thousands of mourners waited day and night to say farewell to the queen, many came equipped with food to sustain themselves. While that may be fine in line, it's a big no-no to be chowing down on a crumbly granola bar once you're within the walls of Westminster, so authorities were ready and waiting to confiscate any comestibles the masses tried to bring inside.
The result has been significant, to say the least, as people have relinquished over 4,400 pounds of various foods, including many unopened items, such as snack bars and chips, per BBC. Lest you think it is all headed for the rubbish heap, think again.
The confiscated food is going to a good cause
Those unopened food items from the mourners of Queen Elizabeth II — and even blankets left behind — are being collected by London-based charity The Felix Project (via BBC). Since there was such a large amount of food left behind, they are coordinating with other charities across the city to make sure the food gets into the hands of those who need it most.
"This food is a hugely unique donation and will help hundreds of people who are struggling to afford to eat," Charlotte Hill, chief executive of The Felix Project told BBC. "We support thousands of organizations helping a huge range of people and every day more are getting in contact asking us to give them food."
The donation and redistribution of the food by a charity is a fitting tribute to the late queen, who was a major patron of charitable organizations throughout her life. As UK news service Independent reports, Queen Elizabeth II was, in some fashion, involved with over 600 charities. What's more, by 2012 she was responsible for more than £1.4 billion in charitable giving, making her one of the world's largest charity supporters.