Up to 1,000 deliveries are being made daily!
As Coronavirus cases in Greater Manchester and the UK continue to creep up, Manchester City Council has announced that they’re teaming up with a number of organisations, who are working incredibly hard during the outbreak to feed those in need.
City Council staff have been redeployed especially for the cause, which will see a curated team co-ordinate up to 1,000 deliveries daily, ensuring those in self-isolation and those who may be struggling financially have enough to eat.
So far, the initiative includes organisations such as Open Kitchen, The Bread and Butter Thing, Fareshare and the Trussell Trust – who are all working tirelessly to collect donations from businesses and the public during the pandemic, ensuring their year-round efforts continue as usual.
Other businesses have also been getting involved, with Manchester restaurant Vermillion pledging deliveries of fresh food to North Manchester General Hospital for staff and medics, Alpha LSG donating 25,000 plane meals and Mars Wrigley donating 65,000 Easter Eggs, which will be distributed as part of the support packages in time for Easter Sunday.
While it’s clear the community is banding together to help during the pandemic, food banks are still reporting shortages across the city, with the Council encouraging any businesses or individuals who can help with donations to get in touch via email at food.response@manchester.gov.
Speaking of the initiative, Sir Richard Leese, Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “The effort of both the public and private sectors coming together to get food to those who need it most is remarkable. It shows what we can achieve when we all pull in the same direction and work as a team.
“Thousands of support packs have already been delivered and that is thanks to Council staff, charities, volunteers and the city’s business community doing what they must to help tackle the outbreak. A huge debt of thanks is owed to all of them.
“But the effort must go on. So if you are a business with surplus stock or extra stores – please consider donating. There are people in this city who are in dire need and I’d urge anyone who can to lend their hand.”
[Featured image: Open Kitchen MCR]