A second charity has partnered with Knaresborough’s Marks and Spencer store to use its surplus food to provide meals for those in need.
The charity, Helping Hands UK, was suggested by local customers after the M&S store put an appeal out for charities on Facebook.
Helping Hands UK is an established charity with hubs across the country. The Yorkshire hub accepts donations from a number of retailers already, with M&S now joining the list.
The charity reuses surplus food and makes meals or food boxes to be delivered to those in need locally. It also takes hot meals and drinks into city centres to feed those living on the streets.
Its founder, Toni Mella, lives in Pudsey. She has worked with people and groups within the Harrogate district for years and wanted to thank them for their support and for suggesting her charity to M&S. She said:
“There’s some great food coming from M&S. I just feel privileged that we have been chosen. I am so proud of what me and the team are doing day by day.”
All of the people working for the charity are volunteers who come from all walks of life. Including NHS workers and some who have been homeless or experienced addiction.
Ms Mella said this partnership with M&S gives them the opportunity to support more people with the extra food and praised the work of her volunteers.
Some of the food collected last weekend went into family boxes and used to make hot meals for the elderly.
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The Knaresborough store already supports Resurrected Bites, a charity based in the Harrogate district. The charity has changed what it offers during the pandemic to give boxes of food and toiletries to vulnerable families.
James Smithson, store manager at M&S Knaresborough, said:
“When we have surplus food, our absolute priority is for it to end up on someone’s plate. We already work with the brilliant Resurrected Bites to help those in need, and we’re delighted to now be partnered with Helping Hands UK as well.
“Both of these organisations do a brilliant job supporting the local community and we are pleased to be working with them to help feed those in need.”
