Online food delivery platform, Foodhub is donating £4,000 to homeless charity, Barnabus Manchester.
Barnabus Manchester is a charity which offers integral support to the homeless community within the city. Throughout any time of crisis, they continue operating to support those in need, which is why Foodhub has chosen to donate £4,000 worth of food to its service users.
Barnabus Manchester is committed to supporting rough sleepers into accommodation so they can self-isolate and keep safe during the COVID-19 crisis. This includes ensuring they have essential supplies and food. With the £4,000 donation from Foodhub they are able to provide 400 meals to these people which has been greatly received by the charity.
Carol Price, Head of Fundraising and Development at Barnabus said: “The vulnerable people we support often have complex needs and poor mental health so as well as providing hot cooked food, essential supplies and toiletries our support team are providing much needed mental and emotional support to rough sleepers in accommodation with every delivery and phone call we make.
“We’re so grateful to Foodhub for this generous and thoughtful gift of £4,000 worth of food during this time of crisis. It’s so much more than a gift of food, it gives a positive message of support to rough sleepers and people experiencing homelessness in accommodation that a company cares about them and their wellbeing. We know that with the support of companies like Foodhub, during a time of great uncertainty, we can continue to bring hope and transformation in our City.”
Chief Operating Officer at Foodhub, Philip Mostyn commented: “In these unprecedented times it is essential for companies to actively support those in need, whether that’s a charity, a key worker, their own employees or another company.
“We have always taken our corporate social responsibility seriously and work in partnerships with charities around the world supporting those less fortunate than we are.
“We’re pleased that we can help feed 400 people in Manchester this week and will be actively working with the charity and others to see what support we can offer them during this difficult time.”
The donations this week mark the launch of Foodhub’s “Takeaway the Safe Way” campaign where the company has committed to supporting takeaway owners through this crisis.
Within one week 36% of takeaways Foodhub had spoken to had closed. The decision was taken to protect the health and wellbeing of their families, however, on the weekend of 27th March, Foodhub received a record breaking number of online takeaway orders.
Therefore, a new initiative has been launched to help educate and protect takeaway staff so they can continue to feel safe whilst operating and meeting this rise in demand.
The “Takeaway the Safe Way” campaign gives takeaway owners and staff free access to resources and learning material to help them fully understand concepts such as contactless delivery. It will also give them access to a hotline and community advice website so that if they find themselves in an uncomfortable situation or they’re not sure what they should do for the best, they can speak to a community care mentor.
Finally, the initiative will celebrate the positive news in the world and will champion those in the takeaway industry who are going above and beyond to continue to help people and make them smile during isolation. The public can share stories and nominate their Takeaway Care Champion, helping to recognise those who are committed to working through these tough times.
Philip Mostyn continued: “We strongly believe in not only supporting charity but supporting the workforce and small businesses. Many are closing their doors to protect their families right now which is totally understandable.
“We want to offer support and guidance to those that want to continue delivering food to their communities but are maybe a little bit apprehensive or are in need of some external support and training to help them stay safe whilst continuing to operate.
“We all truly believe in helping one another and we want to not only donate food and money, but champion those that are on the front line bringing food to people who are isolated and supporting those that are less fortunate. We are trying to tap into the positivity that may be difficult for some people to find right now by encouraging people to share great stories, celebrate those who have helped them and to continuing enjoying their favourite foods whilst they are on lockdown.”
Visit www.foodhub.co.uk and follow them on Facebook to be the first to know about the launch of the website.
