Work begins for Manchester foodbank preparing to feed 1,000 this Christmas

A small Manchester foodbank has begun preparations for its mammoth Christmas appeal, due to roll out a week today.

Humans MCR, based in Blackley, is running its Nobody Hungry at Christmas campaign for the fifth year in a row. This year is set to be the biggest yet, delivering to a staggering 1,022 people over 255 addresses.

And today (December 16) the work began to empty the small unit on Rochdale Road of its foodbank stock. Volunteers - including Trans Pennine Express apprentices and staff members from Benefact Group - hauled heavy crates of pasta, coffee, curry sauce and canned soup to be taken away to Humans' storage unit. The empty shelves will then be filled with goods for the appeal.

READ MORE: Manchester foodbank to feed over 1,000 people this Christmas

Founder Lewey Hellwell, who had organised lunch, refreshments and home-made mince pies for the volunteers, was upbeat despite the extensive planning which the project has required - but admitted that it had been recently keeping him up at night.

"I couldn't sleep last night - I kept thinking of extra things I have to do, " he laughed. "But these guys have flown through it all today. I know I'll sleep better tonight now."

It comes as donations continue to roll in to the M.E.N's appeal, which is supporting Humans' festive campaign for a third year in a row.

Last week our appeal passed its £10k target and currently stands at £13,400, thanks to the generosity of our readers and charitable donors.

Andrew Geddes, vice president at ophthalmology company Glaukos, donated £5k to the campaign - and he came along to Humans today (December 16) to witness the work they do.

He said he was alerted to the Humans appeal through businessman Michael Josephson - and admired their focus on helping children from struggling families.

Indeed, a cornerstone of the Christmas appeal is the inclusion of treats and presents in the hampers: brand new toys and Cadburys selection boxes, as well as Christmas dinner ingredients.

“Kids have to go back to school in January, and the first question teachers ask them is, what did Father Christmas bring you?" said founder Lewey. "I think it’s a totally inappropriate question for teachers to be asking."

"Because there will be some children in that room that Father Christmas didn’t visit. And they feel they’re less than everyone else."

"I like to support charities in the north west generally," said Andrew. "But speaking to Lewey, a lot of what he does is aimed at children, making sure they get fed properly over Christmas."

"Listening to the things he's said, how focused he is on this particular cause, he seems really on it. Supporting individuals who have focused on real charitable needs is what makes things happen."

Geddes also said he agreed with Lewey's ethos of inclusion. "Today with social media, everybody always feels they should have more," he said. "A lot of what's on social media is fake, but kids can feel pressured by it."

"But if we can give kids that feeling of being included - it doesn't matter what the item is worth - if they can just share that feeling, that's what it's about."

Humans MCR

The Manchester Evening News Christmas Appeal is once again supporting Humans MCR, a charity doing incredible work to tackle hunger in Greater Manchester.

This organisation is small but mighty - they work to tackle hunger directly. The charity is run by someone who has relied on foodbanks himself.

We love this charity because they treat everyone with the dignity and respect we all deserve. Each week they provide a lifeline for 400 families and individuals across Manchester, Salford, Rochdale, Trafford, Stockport and Bury.

All their food is delivered in unmarked vans so no one knows the people they help are getting support from a foodbank. And they give people in need a choice over what they eat, accommodating a range of diets including vegan, vegetarian, halal and gluten-free.

The charity was set up by Lewey Hellewell whose own experience of using traditional food banks after being made redundant left him feeling that the process lacked dignity and compassion.

People can be referred to the charity by any local community professional - including GPs, local MPs, health visitors, care and social workers - to get emergency food packages, delivered straight to their door in unmarked vans.

This Christmas, they're expecting to deliver festive hampers to over 1,000 people in our region. The hampers have everything to make a full Christmas dinner - plus presents for children, and treats for adults.

• £12.50 will give a single person a food package for three days
• £36 will feed a family of four for three days
• £61 will provide a family with a Christmas hamper.

Donate here.