A special project has been launched to help redistribute food to those who need it over the festive period
(Picture: PA Wire)A pop-up foodbank project led by a charity is set to save thousands of kilograms of food from being thrown away in order to feed in need families in London.
The charity in question, The Felix Project, estimates up to 120 tonnes of food will be saved and given to families across the capital throughout the festive period and into the New Year.
Late December is often a time of great food waste - when there is supermarkets and food supplies experience a large surplus, but many food banks and community centres families rely on are closed.
But this year The Felix Project has worked with around 90 community organisations, housing associations and schools which will open up to make sure the food helps those struggling amid the cost-of-living crisis.
Between December 23 and New Year’s Day this year, the charity is delivering surplus food to the network of distribution spots, with the help of 600 volunteers.
Fahim Dahya is manager of SUFRA - one of the community organisations that has been opening especially to help distribute the food.
“We know thousands of people rely on organisations like ours for their food as just last week we served over 900 people and sadly some them are closed over Christmas, either for religious reasons or because they simply do not have the staff available,” he said.
“This extra stock will ease the burden for many and ensure that during this time, which is supposed to be filled with festivities and joy, fewer people will experience hunger and sadness.”
Rachel Ledwith, Head of Community for The Felix Project said: “It is a huge logistical operation and a first for The Felix Project. Each of the vans will be very full and will help so many who are struggling to afford to buy food.
“It is a very worrying time for so many people and we want to be able to do so much more, especially as we expect the cost of living crisis to push more families into poverty, many for the first time.
“We must be there to deliver more food, but simply cannot meet the need without expanding. That is why we are running our Empty Plate Emergency Appeal, it aims to raise as much as possible so The Felix Project can be there to ensure food, that would otherwise have been wasted ends up feeding those in need.”
For more information about The Felix Project and its Empty Plate Emergency Appeal, click here.
