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Cash boost launches city’s food appeal fund


 8/4/20

A new appeal launched by the Leader of Cardiff Council to support people in need with emergency food and essentials throughout the COVID-19 crisis has been kickstarted with donations totalling £80,000.

 

Admiral have pledged £50,000 to help launch the Cardiff Food Appeal, a new donation scheme that will fund the sourcing and delivery of food and other essential items to some of the most vulnerable people in Cardiff.

 

Twoanonymous benefactors in the city have also contributed large sums, boosting the pot by a further £30,000. The money was donated followinga letter written by Council Leader, Cllr Huw Thomas, to leading companies across Cardiff asking them to support the fund.

 

The appeal is the latest initiative to ensure people experiencing financial difficulties buying food and those who aren't able to shop for themselves at this time have provisions. All of the money raised from the appeal will be spent on food and essentials.

 

Donations can be made by visitingwww.cardiff.gov.uk/foodappeal

 

Cllr Thomas, said: "The COVID-19 crisis is having a major impact across the city and one particular challenge is food supply.  We are working hard to help those in need at this difficult time and are launching this appeal so that the local business community and members of the public can support our efforts by making a financial donation.

 

"We're incredibly grateful to Admiral and the other two donors from the local business community for the substantial donations already made which will go a long way to making sure vulnerable people have provisions.

 

"We have very quickly established a service to source and deliver emergency food to our most vulnerable people who are self-isolating, and those suffering from the economic impact of the crisis. More than 1,400 emergency parcels have already been prepared for people in need and we are experiencing a significant swell in demand, combined with a reduction in food stocks because of that demand, so we need to do more to ensure our food supply is sustainable throughout the COVID-19 impact.

 

"We know that the current emergency is having a far-reaching impact on businesses in the city, communities and individuals, but we also know that there is an overwhelming desire to help our neighbours and fellow Cardiff residents. We've seen that in the fantastic response we've had to our Together for Cardiff volunteering scheme which now has more than 1,000 volunteers registered to  support people in our communities, so  I am sure the provision of food to vulnerable and economically-impacted members of our community is an objective we all share and empathise with.

 

"Not everyone can help on a practical level of course, so this new donation scheme enables people who want to contribute financially to the cause to be able to do so, knowing that every single penny given will go towards buying food and essential items for people who need them most  during the current Coronavirus emergency."

 

Cristina Nestares, CEO of UK Insurance, said: "We're a proud Welsh company with our headquarters in Cardiff, along with our offices in Swansea and Newport. During this difficult time our priorities are the wellbeing of our staff and their families, maintaining service to our customers, and supporting our local communities. So, we're proud to be able to donate £50,000 to the Cardiff Food Appeal and hope that it helps make some difference to those who need it most."

 

The Council's emergency food service operation is currently underway andpart of this work involves supporting Cardiff Foodbank's existing provision. Information on their food distribution is available herewww.Cardiff.foodbank.,org.uk

 

In addition to this, for those that are not self-isolating but don't have funds, emergency food parcels are available at four hubs in the city, Ely & Caerau, St Mellons, The Powerhouse in Llanedeyrn and Central Library Hub. The Council is grateful to Cardiff Foodbank for providing some food stuffs for these parcels. More than 160 parcels have been collected from these hubs in the last few weeks while more than 1,200 food and essentials parcels have been delivered to households who are self-isolating and can't afford to buy essentials and have no family or support network to help them.

 

Anyone in need of support can contact the Adviceline on 029 2087 1071 or emailadvicehub@cardiff.gov.uk

 

Cllr Thomas added: "The donations we have received already have been extremely generous and I want to personally thank those who have helped us get the appeal off the ground for their contributions. These funds will enable us to replenish our stocks, be a springboard for raising awareness of our vital service and hopefully encourage more donations to support this important initiative.

 

"Any donations people are able to make, whatever the amount, will support many people in our communities over the critical period ahead.

 

"People can also continue to support Cardiff Foodbank, who do a tremendous job supporting vulnerable people at all times not just during this crisis, at their usual collection points at supermarkets and other collection points throughout the city."

 

To make a donation to the Cardiff Food Appeal, please visitwww.cardiff.gov.uk/foodappeal