19.11.19
Mayor of Liverpool launches appeal to help feed the hungry this Christmas
The Mayor’s Hope Fund has launched an appeal for donations of tins, packets and UHT milk and juice to stoke the shelves of foodbanks in the city with Christmas approaching.
Liverpool City Council have set up multiple collection points across the city. Lifestyle centres, libraries and One Stop Shops and council staff are taking part in the appeal in offices across Liverpool.
Since April this year 15,000 have received help from the foodbanks, almost half of whom have been children. Low income is the biggest cause of individuals and families falling into food poverty.
The Christmas period brings extra pressure and challenges for parents as children are unable to access free school meals for two weeks.
Seven tonnes of food have been collected in the past two Christmas foodbank appeals led by the council. It is hoped that this year’s appeal will be the biggest yet, with donation boxes in more than 40 locations from staff offices to public buildings including Central Library, the city centre One Stop Shop. Park Road Adult Learning and Tuebrook and West Derby Children’s Centres. The appeal will run until Friday 29th of November.
Joe Anderson, Mayor of Liverpool said: “This city is renowned for its generosity of spirit and looking after our own and I know that people will get behind this foodbank appeal and donate what they can.
“There is no donation too big or too small, all contributions will go directly towards feeding some of our most vulnerable residents at a point of crisis.
“I’m proud of the council’s hardworking staff who are helping to drive this appeal because they care so much about the communities they serve.”
Nicola Hawkes, South Liverpool foodbank’s coordinator, said: “The Mayor’s Hope Fund provides invaluable help to disadvantaged communities and, at Christmas, the need is sadly greater than ever.
“Without the support of Liverpool residents who make donations there would be many households going hungry this December.”