Unprecedented times require unprecedented solidarity.
Never before have I experienced a time where one persons behaviour can impact another so dramatically.
I don’t think I need to explain how bad the coronavirus crisis is everywhere.
Many services for homeless people are closing. Schools are closing which immediately impacts low income families. Almost 1.3 million children, about 15% of those in England’s state schools, receive free school meals because they come from low income families. Official data showed the need was greatest in parts of London, the north and Midlands where more than one in four pupils were entitled to free meals. No school means an unacceptable rise in the number of hungry children. How can that be right?
UK Governments call for the elderly and the vulnerable to self-isolate is the right thing to do, however many people on a low income are not in a position to isolate them selves. The need to house and feed themselves and their families doesn’t afford them that ‘luxury’. The homeless continue to be the first to suffer, closely followed by families on low earning and then the impact reaches out to the general populace.
Can something be done to help? Most certainly YES!
Volunteers at Food For All are raring to get into action to respond to the need of the day. We are ready to cook 20,000 meals daily at our certified kitchens in Holborn, Central London. We have the infrastructure in place to be able to distribute hot vegetarian meals from the following seven distribution points:
- Tower Hamlet
- Islington
- Camden
- Kings Cross
- Russell Square
- Trafalgar Square
- Holborn
With all Government guidelines and safety policies in place, meals will be freshly cooked in three batches throughout the day and served fresh all day. The hot meal will consist of a protein rich, complete meal, the healthy ‘kitchari’ which will provide each person with satisfying nourishment for the day. The health benefits of ‘kitchari’, can be viewed here;
How can you help?
If you’re fit and healthy, then please come volunteer your time. If you are self-isolating then no need to feel helpless, please consider donating generously to the budget below. For as little as 10p-15p a plate, we can provide a hearty meal to a child or a person in need during these uncertain times.
Each giant pot of kitchari will provide 6,000 meals and will require:
100kg dal – £110
120kg potatoes – £120
30kg carrots – £40
8 large cans tomato purée – £54
Ghee – £25
Spices plus other vegetables – £40
Gas – £60
Plates, spoons, containers – £380
Total: £829 per pot.
To provide 20,000 meals per day we need £2,500 per day.
These extraordinary times call on each one of us to step up and to reach out to those in the most need. That any child or adult should go hungry in a prosperous first world country never fails to appal me.
To be fully operational by the 6th April we need you to galvanise into action now. We are ready to do our part to serve, we await your much needed support.
With kind regards,
Peter O’Grady
Director, Food For All
