Community efforts to provide hot meals for key workers and those in need

Date published: 03 April 2020

Local charities and community groups have been ensuring front-line workers, the elderly and vulnerable, and the isolated have access to food, by delivering hot meals and food packages across the region.

The charity Human Appeal, with the support of Madina Catering, donated hundreds of meals across Greater Manchester last week including at Rochdale Urgent Care, Fairfield Hospital, Bury Police, Royal Bolton Hospital, North Manchester Hospital, Greater Manchester Police Headquarters and Castleton Hotel.

Numaan Shahid, who delivered a number of meals with Altaf Hussain, said: “All of this would not be possible without your support. We are striving to keep NHS, key frontline workers and the homeless fed.

“Please keep supporting us.”

Donations can be made to Human Appeal via:

• humanappeal.org.uk/appeals/coronavirus-emergency-appeal

The Army of Kindness, which meets at the former Rochdale Magistrates’ Court every Tuesday 5.30pm - 6.30pm, has been supplying its soup kitchen regulars with hot food to take away, whilst also delivering to isolated families and NHS staff.

Additionally, local Councillor Faisal Rana has teamed up with Lancashire charity Humanity Care Relief to distribute pre-prepared food to staff at Rochdale Infirmary, the ambulance station and other health centres throughout the town.

Councillor Rana said: “I was upset when I saw news reports of a nurse in tears when she went to the supermarket after a gruelling shift only to find the shelves empty. Those bulk buying and hoarding food are making this crisis worse.

“NHS staff are working incredibly hard and putting their lives on the line to keep us safe and well.

“But getting angry is not enough. I wanted to do something about it. I’m involved with the local charity Humanity Care Relief. Our band of volunteers are busy preparing ready meals which we deliver to local NHS frontline staff three days a week.

“I hope our small effort is helping our wonderful health workers in a very practical way. It’s our way of saying 'thank you'. When you’ve worked a harrowing 12-hour shift, the last thing you’d want to do when you get home is start cooking a meal.

Shanwaz Yousaf of Humanity Care Relief said: “Our charity is usually involved in helping the homeless and raising funds for humanitarian projects across the globe. The coronavirus pandemic is the biggest crisis to face our country in decades. It’s important that those fighting on the front line get our full support.”

Councillor Rana has also distributed leaflets offering support to the vulnerable and also promoting the key health messages to stay indoors, protect the NHS and save lives. 

The leaflet has been published in Urdu as well as English.

Councillor Rana added. “If anyone would like to help our effort by donating ingredients such as rice, cooking oil  and lentils or would like to make a cash contribution to keep our Healthy Meals For Health Heroes on the road, please contact me on 07753 750259.”