Howdens depots in the North-West have raised money and donated kitchens to food distribution charity FareShare Greater Manchester.
The depots, among them Cheadle and Reddish, raised just under £6,500 for the charity when a team of 20 employees took part in the Manchester 10k run.
The charity supplies excess food to charities, groups and families who are facing food insecurity.
The depots also donated two kitchens to the new regional centre at FareShare Greater Manchester to support the charity in providing healthy food skills through things like cookery demonstrations. This allows volunteers to share their knowledge and skills on how to use food to cook nutritious meals.
Reddish depot assistant manager Charlotte Read said: “We became aware of FareShare following Marcus Rashford’s campaign to feed children during lockdowns and school holidays. What they do is truly astonishing and provides a much-needed lifeline for local families and organisations. Getting involved and donating our product was the least we could do to help this charity and we are excited about how many people it will help.”
FareShare in the UK takes surplus food from the food industry and passes it on through its network of 35 regional warehouses to a network of more than 10,500 charities and charity groups, including food banks, hostels, refuges, pantries, community centres, older people’s lunch clubs and breakfast and after-school clubs for children.
Cheadle depot manager Jo Cribbin added: “I visited FareShare Greater Manchester for the first time and their vision and what they do was remarkable. It really is like a military operation as not only have they got to sort through food, but they are also responsible for its delivery or collection. We were over the moon to have 20 of us run the Manchester 10k. The atmosphere on the day was incredible. Raising over £3,000, which was then matched by Howdens, was remarkable and I know it will be put to such good use by FareShare Greater Manchester.”
At FareShare Greater Manchester, head of development Miranda Kaunang, said: “We’re extremely grateful for the generous donations from Howdens. The funds they’ve raised will help FareShare Greater Manchester deliver valuable meals to people who are in need, at a very challenging time.”