Desperate and starving, forced to queue outside in the rain, and trudging home with your allotted groceries - this was one man’s experience of food poverty in Manchester.
Lewey Hellewell, 42, was forced to turn to food banks after he was made redundant from his job in hospitality in 2018. He distinctly remembers how he found himself in a position he never anticipated, feeling 'shame' and 'desperation' as he was forced to stand in line for his food. He realised how ‘undignified’ the experience felt, and has since set out to change this for others in need.
This Christmas, the Manchester Evening News is working with Humans MCR, a food drive providing meals and essential nutritious food across our region, to make sure families don't go hungry this Christmas. Humans MCR are based in Blackley, North Manchester, but work with families and individuals in need across Manchester, Salford, Rochdale, Trafford, and Stockport. The team aim to give 'respect, health, dignity and hope to those in our communities', and provide a number of services to those struggling, including emergency food parcels and a community grocers service.
