Rochdale Morrisons donated thousands of pounds' worth of food to those in need during Covid-19 pandemic

The Rochdale Morrisons store at Kingsway has donated thousands of pounds’ worth of food to Rochdale Foodbank, Rochdale Soup Kitchen, Springhill Hospice, and to local families in need over the last two weeks.

The services are continuing to provide forto people in Rochdale who are finding it difficult to feed themselves and their families throughout the coronavirus pandemic as well as those who would usually rely on each organisation.

Rochdale Council workers have for the time being taken over the running of the foodbank, located on South Parade, while most of the regular volunteers are self-isolating.

Steve Field, a Trustee of the Foodbank, said: “We have been extremely grateful to the Council for providing staff and other support in this time of extreme and unusual need. We are also of course hugely grateful to Morrisons for their very generous donations which are helping ensure that we have sufficient food for our many clients.”

Morrisons’ generosity comes as part of a nationwide one-million-pound donation – Feed the Nation – by the company to foodbanks and other charities across the country. Food provided includes vital staples like pasta sauce, rice pudding, custard and tinned fruit, all of which have been badly needed.

James Ley, the Store Manager at the Kingsway branch of Morrisons, said: “The current Covid-19 situation has provided us with an ideal opportunity to help not only those who are vulnerable and struggling financially, but also anyone in Rochdale who feels they need help.”

Additionally, Morrisons is offering a ‘doorstep delivery service’ of essential items for those who are unable to go shopping in store:

• my.morrisons.com/doorstep-deliveries/

Any order placed before 4pm is aimed to be delivered the next day (provided you live within 10 miles of a store). There is a limit of three per item for this service, and cash payments are not accepted.

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Donating

Rochdale Foodbank

Food donations can still be made to the foodbank by taking them to the staff entrance at Number One Riverside, accessed via Smith Street alongside Mecca Bingo.

Financial donations will also be extremely welcome and details of how to contribute can be found on the website at:

• www.rochdale.foodbank.org.uk

The foodbank is open to clients with a voucher every weekday morning from 11am until 12-noon. On Saturdays, food can be obtained from the Smallbridge branch of the foodbank, between 10.30am and 12-noon.

Rochdale Soup Kitchen

The soup kitchen has received many donations during lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic, including a generous donation from the Yorkshire Street Marks and Spencer store before the opening of the new Riverside store.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/133879/mands-hands-over-entire-food-hall-to-rochdale's-most-vulnerable-including-highrisk-selfisolators

Donations can be made via PayPal at:

www.paypal.me/soupkitchenrochdale

Springhill Hospice

Financial support is extremely important to the hospice, which relies on donations to raise in excess of £3.2m every year – or £8,928 per day – to provide its vital services.

A number of measures have been introduced by Springhill Hospice to protect those in its care, as the patients supported have a wide range of life limiting illnesses, making them particularly vulnerable, whilst also ensuring the safety of visitors, volunteers and employees.

You can donate directly to Springhill Hospice here:

• springhill.org.uk/donate-to-us