Feeding Liverpool has launched its Christmas Appeal

Feeding Liverpool is asking the public to donate to it, and the 70 member charities is supports that provide emergency and community food support in the region, in the run up to Christmas.

Your support will help Feeding Liverpool continue to put good food on tables at a time when Government Statistics indicate that 132,000 people in the Liverpool City Region– or 9% of the population – are having to turn to emergency food charities to feed themselves or their family.

Food poverty is not just a challenge for the most deprived households. With increasing taxes, rents, mortgages, food prices and energy many households previously regarded as “comfortably off” are finding themselves needing the support of food banks and similar community projects.

It is estimated that as many as 3,000 National Health Workers will be amongst those hoping for support to feed their families.

Feeding Liverpool’s mission has already garnered the support of local businesses that share its goal of tackling food poverty. Matalan, leading fashion and homeware omni-channel value retailer, based in the North West, is rallying it’s colleagues to dig deep and donate what they can to support the charity and their local community. Matalan will match all donations made by colleagues whilst also donating all proceeds from its annual Christmas raffle to the cause.

Local restaurant, Hawksmoor Liverpool will once again support Feeding Liverpool through their mince pie fundraiser giving 50p to the charity for every mince pie sold in the restaurant, building on their successful partnership throughout 2023.

Feeding Liverpool, Director, Dr Naomi Maynard said:

“Food charities in the region are at crisis point, they are experiencing unparalleled levels of need – with over 2100 emergency food parcels in Liverpool being distributed every week to people in need – all this at a time when food supply is dwindling. The most effective way to provide the ongoing support needed is through a financial donation. We urge the people of Liverpool out in local bars and restaurants celebrating Christmas to think about the 132,000 in their community who are struggling to put food on the table let alone celebrate Christmas.

This is a huge number of people in our community who need support, 132,000 is equivalent to a line of people holding hands from Liverpool to Birmingham (roughly 100 miles). Your support this Christmas will enable us to continue ensuring those in our community in crisis can put good food on the table this winter and beyond.

In our region we have some of the most deprived communities in England, but also some of the wealthiest. In truth, the Liverpool region has the widest gap between rich and poor of anywhere in England. It is certainly within the gift of the Liverpool community to start to address the challenge”.

Matalan CEO Jo Whitfield said:

“Food is such a big part of Christmas, but the reality is that many families will struggle to put food on the table this year due to the rising cost of living challenges. As a business that has called Liverpool its home for more than 30 years, we are proud to be supporting Feeding Liverpool to help more families have access to good food and the joy that brings.”

“Thanks to generous Matalan colleagues across the UK who are supporting the cause, and with all proceeds from our annual festive raffle being donated, we are able to support 2000 families this Christmas. At Matalan, we live by our values, and ‘think family’ couldn’t be more fitting right now. I ask those that can, to donate – however big or small. It will make a huge difference to struggling families this Christmas.”

Hawksmoor Business Development Manager, Emma Hocknell said:

“We have been supporting Feeding Liverpool since Hawksmoor Liverpool’s opening in November 2022. Our customers and staff often enquire about the charities that we support and how they can get involved. Making an affordable donation to Feeding Liverpool over the Christmas and New Year party season is a great way to support those who are most challenged by the cost of living crisis.

We hope that all Bars and Restaurants in Merseyside follow suit so those that are most able to help can make a big difference to our wider community.”

Also, customers purchasing a mince pie off our menu until the end of December, will be supporting Feeding Liverpool. For each sold we will be donating 50p to their much-needed causes.