wagamama has opened a series of community hubs designed to help with free meals for children and their families. It is part of a charity partnership initiated by restaurant allowing one million meals to be distributed to families facing the rising cost of living.
Launched with the charity, The Bread and Butter Thing, the first three community hubs opened for people in Ashton Moss, Didsbury and central Manchester close to some of the eighty locations where the charity distributes nourishing and affordable food to communities who need it most at their weekly hubs.
wagamama opened its doors at these restaurants to The Bread and Butter Thing members welcoming them to their benches, allowing families to connect with neighbours in a place to relax whilst enjoying some soulful sides and free bowls for little noodlers.
Later this month, wagamama chefs will also be heading out to some of The Bread and Butter Thing’s local hubs providing cooking demonstrations and advise on how to cook nourishing and affordable meals at home, alongside a donation of over 10,000 wagamama retail products
One of The Bread and Butter Thing members who attended the first community hub at wagamama Printworks, mum of two, Gemma, said: “It’s been so lovely. We don’t get to come out for meals out so this is brilliant. The kids have loved everything, even just getting out and about on the tram tonight too!”
Fellow member, mum of three Victoria added: “It’s been absolutely fantastic. The kids have tried things I never thought they would like squid, shrimp & ramen and loved them! My son Riley wants to come to wagamama for his birthday meal now!”
With the success of these hubs wagamama has now expanded the initiative and opened community hubs in London at their Wandsworth and Islington restaurants. They have also opened community hubs in Swansea, Colchester, Trowbridge and Ipswich.
These restaurant hubs are on a booking basis and aimed at those who are looking for a place to unwind from the pressures of modern life, connect with new friends and enjoy some nourishing food and company.
Children receive FREE mains and wagamama is surprising and delighting little ones with children’s activity packs. wagamama will also be serving hot teas and coffees and a sides selection for the adults to enjoy. The hubs will be running once a week at both restaurants until February 7 from 3-5pm.
There’s a maximum ticket quantity of four per person and to find out more about wagamama’s community hubs and how to register please visit www.wagamama.com/nourishingothers.
wagamama CEO, Thomas Heier, said: “At wagamama we believe in the Japanese philosophy of seijaku; finding calm and tranquillity in the midst of activity. In these challenging times it is important that we all continue to nourish ourselves and our communities. Typically, every veganuary we like to surprise and delight our guests with a plant-based showstopper, but we know this veganuary is a little bit different for families across the UK, so it is a privilege this year to support local communities through our newly launched partnership with The Bread and Butter Thing.”
Set up in 2016, The Bread and Butter Thing brings low-cost food to low-income communities. Those in need of support pay a fraction of the cost for food, which is sourced direct from manufacturers and retailers. It has over 40,000 members and redistributes to over 5,000 families a week who typically pay £7.50 for £35 worth of groceries.
The partnership with wagamama involved projects in its restaurants and out in the community. Overall, it will see the restaurant chain provide support for The Bread and Butter Thing to deliver 1 million meals worth of food to low income families who use the charity to receive a more affordable weekly shop, at a time when the nation needs it more than ever.
wagamama has already supplied food and bespoke recipes cards to The Bread And Butter Thing and the £25,000 wagamama donation will pay for forty one truck journeys with each able to carry 426 tonnes of food with each tonne equating to 2380 meals. A grand total of just over a million meals.
