Manchester businesses are delivering meals to feed people during coronavirus lockdown
- Manchester businesses are working together to support people in need during isolation
- Organisations such as Bread and Butter, Fareshare, Trussell Trust and Open Kitchen have donated
- Council asking for further donations as foodbanks run short of basic items
Many Manchester organisations, including The Bread and Butter Thing, Fare share, Trussell Trust and Open Kitchen, are working together to gather donations and distributing support packages to people in need .
A team at Manchester Council has been assigned to co-ordinate up to 1,000 deliveries to ensure that people can get support during self-isolation.
Sir Richard Leese, city council leader, 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.”
City council staff have been redeployed from their normal roles to support the massive effort to support vulnerable households.
Organisations such as Mars Wrigley have donated 65,000 Easter eggs and gifts for children of key workers and NHS staff.
Indian restaurant Vermillion has committed to supporting North General Hospital with free deliveries of food to help medics and support staff keep going.
And more than 25,000 airline meals have been supplied to the families in order to support them.
Councillor Leese said: “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.”
Email [email protected] with details of your donations.