More than 100 Council staff, along with an army of volunteers, charitable organisations and businesses have worked tirelessly to deliver food support packs, now totalling more than 30,000 deliveries.
The community response service began on 30 March, managed from the Council-run New Smithfield Market in Openshaw, and in the first six weeks received requests from 10,000 people – 79% of whom are receiving ongoing food support.
The operation was started from scratch by City Council officers made up of more than 100 members of staff redistributed from 26 Council services to develop a partnership of around 40 voluntary and private organisations (see full list in the notes to editors section) each working together to make, package and deliver Manchester homes.
Each day the community response system supports more than 2,000 individuals with the Council-led partnership brokering donations from businesses – such as airlines meals, food, cash and employee volunteers. It also provides support for residents to access government funding and support services.
The food response is also ensuring that the contents of each delivery meets the needs of our residents, such as specific food types to meet religious requirements or ready-to-eat options for households who struggle to prepare meals for themselves.
Cllr Nigel Murphy, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is an incredible success story that shows what can be done when the public, private and voluntary sector come together for the greater good and support those that need it most. A huge thank you is in order for everyone who has worked tirelessly to meet the demand for help and deliver 30,000 packs of food.
“However, this also shows the stark reality that 2,000 people still need our help daily to ensure they have enough food during this crisis. Crucially, if you or someone you know is struggling, there is help available – just ask.”
If you or someone you know needs help, please call: 0800 234 6123
The list of partner organisations helping to distribute food and support packages includes:
Ardwick and Longsight Foodbank
Authentic City Church
Burnage Foodbank
Chorlton & Didsbury foodbank – Trussell Trust
Christian Restoration
Communities for All
Compassion Food Bank
Cracking Good Food
Dynamic Support of Greater Manchester
Emmeline’s Pantry
Fallowfield & Withington Foodbank – Trussell Trust
Family Action
Greater Together Manchester
Highway to Hope
Humans MCR
Irk Valley Community School
L’Chaim Chabad Foodbank
Levenshulme Inspire
Manchester Central Foodbank – Trussell Trust
Manchester Jame Masjid & Cultural Centre
Manchester Mind – Good Mood Food
Manchester South Central Foodbank (Bridging the Gap)
Manchester Vineyard Church
Moston Muslim Community Centre
New Smithfield Market
Open Kitchen
Rainbow Surprise
Sheikh Nazim Helping Hands
St Cross Church
St James Parish Church
The Bread and Butter Thing
The Church of the Apostles Community Kitchen
The Mustard Tree
The Salvation Army Openshaw
The Tree of Life
Well of Hope
Wythenshawe Foodbank
Army Veterans / Walking with the Wounded
British Gas
Clearview Event Services
Colas
Egan Reid
Imran Ali
Interserve
J Hopkins Contractors
JBW
Kerry Logistics
Kilkern
Manchester Smokehouse
Manchester United Foundation
Mantra Learning
NSL
Redgate
Trailar
Westfield Mini Buses
Jigsaw (Michael Henshaw and Alex Paton)
Ahmadiyya Muslim Youth Association
Price Waterhouse Cooper
Modern Milkman
Green Motion Car and Van Rental
His Church Charity
Ahmed Bros Cash and Carry
PJ Woollam and Son
We Can Foods
PwC
Qroutes
Iceland Manufacturing
The Hut Group
Rosgals
2UFood
North Manchester Business Network
Co-op
Alpha LSG
Mars
Kellogg’s
We Love Manchester Charity (The Lord Mayor of Manchester’s Charity Appeal Trust)
Duerrs
PHS Teacrate
Wing Yip
Wilde Nuts
Sheldons Bakers
Bookers
Brakes
Lineage
Achieve North West
Acorn Community Support
Anchor Hanover Housing
ASBAT
Back on Track
Barnabus
Be Well
Care Navigation Agency
Centrepoint
Change Grow Live Manchester
George House Trust
GM Housing First
GMP
Healthy Me Healthy Communities
Inspiring Change Manchester
Jigsaw Homes
Johnnie Johnson Housing
Lifeshare
Making Space
Manchester Action on Street Health (MASH)
Manchester Adult Education Service
Manchester Local Care Organisation
Mosscare St Vincents Housing Group
NHS
Northwards
One Manchester
Pathways CIC
Riverside Housing
Sanctuary Housing
Sanctuary Supported Living
Shelter
Southway Housing
Sure Start
The Booth Centre
The Docherty Project
The Growth Company
The Guinness Partnership
The Men’s Room
Women Asylum Seekers Together
Wythenshawe Community Housing Group
YES Manchester
