Walking for miles in the rain, queueing in the cold for a few days-worth of food, then being forced to do it all over again even further away the next week. This is the reality of trying to stave off hunger for our Greater Manchester's poorest people.
Food banks are a resource for people in crisis. Visited by those with the greatest need at desperate times, many of them limit people to three visits, meaning they are forced to travel further and further just to be able to eat. These food banks are a useful 'sticking plaster' to tide people in need over - but they do little to address the root problems behind the hunger.
One Manchester food bank is trying to change the way we tackle food poverty. Founded by Lewey Hellewell after his own 'undignified' experiences of using such facilities, Humans MCR aims to guide people from crisis to stability, using a 'suite' of services beyond emergency food parcels. That's why we're working with them to raise money to make sure nobody goes hungry this Christmas.
READ MORE: Help the hungry in Greater Manchester as we launch Christmas campaign to tackle food poverty
People can be referred to Humans MCR through any local community professional, such as a local MP, councillor, GP or school pastoral care worker. They'll then be helped in the immediate term by a weekly food delivery, packed to accommodate any cultural or dietary requirements they may have.
Earlier this week, pensioner Doreen Ahmed told the Manchester Evening News how receiving these food parcels straight to her door was a 'massive help' for those with accessibility needs - especially during the cost of living crisis. But Humans MCR's help doesn't end there.
Once people have been able to get back on their feet, the charity works to transition them into their community grocers programme. Here, they sell groceries donated by supermarkets including Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl, for a fraction of the price. The food is all good to eat, and the scheme has helped save over 16,000 kilograms of food waste since April 2020.
The aim is to assist people in immediate crisis, but to make sure they aren't left to repeat the same cycle over and over. While Lewey was able to get himself back on his feet before founding the charity, he knows that for many living in food poverty, the issue spans generations. When setting up Humans MCR, his vision was to provide a 'suite' of services that go beyond providing food in the immediate moment, and work to 'break cycles of intergenerational poverty'.
The charity recognises the role education plays in breaking this cycle, and partners with Read Manchester and Manchester Libraries to help provide children with books. "If we can increase the level of education in those children, the less chance there is of them repeating that cycle as they start to leave education," Lewey explained. Books are sent out with food hampers going to families regularly, bringing educational resources straight to the doorsteps of some of Manchester's neediest.
Partnering with a number of agencies and organisations within the wider community, including BeWell and Manchester Health & Care Commissioning, the team aim to work with other service providers to ensure nobody goes hungry in Greater Manchester. They are also planning to launch a variety of resources to help users even further in the new year, including recipies and guidance on healthy eating.
All this amazing work is why we have chosen to partner with Humans MCR this Christmas to tackle food poverty in Greater Manchester. You can donate to the campaign here.
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