KFC's in Glasgow have been partnering with Dennistoun based charity, Everlasting Foodbank, which is ran by local 'hero' Keisha Pierre.
The charity aims to support people on low incomes and the homeless community by providing those facing food insecurities with donations to take home and the chance to enjoy a hot meal at the community kitchen.
Keisha and the Everlastomg Foodbank team collect surplus chicken from KFC restaurants on London Road and Forge Retail Park each Friday via the FareShare Go app, which allows them to support the local community at a time when they need it most.
Food banks are becoming increasingly accepted as the cost of living crisis continues to impact communities across Glasgow and the UK.
Recent research from FareShare revealed that 96% of charities claimed to have been directly affected by the cost of living crisis and 73% reported new recipients accessing their services for the first time.
Keisha and the team of volunteers at Everlasting foodbank have seen first-hand the impact rising costs have had on the community. Demand for food donations at Everlasting has increased massively in following the COVID pandemic, with the number of people visiting each week increasing from around 40 to 100 in the last year.
The FareShare partnership is up and running across all KFC restaurants in Glasgow, with over 7000 meals donated in Scotland since the rollout of the programme.
Keisha Pierre, foodbank manager at Everlasting Foodbank said: “KFC’s support has had a huge impact on the Everlasting foodbank.
"The local people we support love having KFC on offer - they eat what they can on site and bring a little bag and fill that as well. We collect the chicken every week from the teams at KFC restaurants on London Road and in Forge Retail Park – it’s great for us and is easy to arrange as everything is ready for us when we arrive.
"Then, during our food bank opening hours on Saturday, we offer people hot meals to enjoy whilst they collect their food parcels to take home, including hot soup, bread, cakes and hot chicken too!".
Steven Meechan, Glasgow Area Coach at KFC said: “We always look for ways to support our local communities with the issues that matter most.
"Hearing the impact that local heroes like Keisha are having in and around Glasgow just spurs us on to better support them in their incredible work. What’s more, our team members at London Road and Forge Retail Park really value seeing our surplus chicken go to such a good home.
"As the cost-of-living continues to rise, it is important that we ensure any surplus food finds its way to those who need it most."
The current cost of living crisis has put a massive strain on charities and local communities, with people struggling to make ends meet.
Lindsay Boswell, Chief Executive at FareShare said: “Our partnership with KFC comes at a crucial time – this food is needed now more than ever. We’re grateful to have partners like KFC, enabling us to get good food to those that need it most through a network of more than 2,000 charities and community groups.”
This is FareShare Go’s first venture into frozen food and diversifies the food available to charities and foodbanks supporting families and individuals facing hunger, allowing them to enjoy food in their own time and on their own terms.
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