MILLER Homes is helping the UK’s largest foodbank stock up to ensure those most in need in the region do not go hungry this summer with a Food Drive Appeal.
The leading housebuilder is asking members of the public and residents living on its North East developments to support its appeal in aid of Newcastle West End Foodbank by making food donations at its sales centres.
Since opening in 2013, Newcastle West End Foodbank has grown to be the largest foodbank in the UK and in 2016 fed more than 40,000 people. Part of The Trussell Trust, the foodbank offers three days of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis.
Items which the foodbank urgently requires include UHT or powdered milk; long-life fruit juice or cordial; coffee; tea bags; sponge and rice puddings; packet mash; pasta; as well as tins of vegetables, fruit, meat and fish. Other staples which would be greatly received are breakfast cereals; packet soups; tinned pies; and snacks.
Andrew Somerville, regional sales manager at Miller Homes North East, said: “With one in five of the UK population currently living below the poverty line we wanted to help those living in our local communities who are most in need by supporting Newcastle West End Foodbank.
“The foodbank makes a huge difference to the lives of the people who it supports. With the summer holidays now here, families in the region who would normally rely on school meals are under increased financial pressure so ensuring Newcastle West End Foodbank is well-stocked with sufficient supplies is more important than ever.
“Anyone interested in helping to support our Food Drive Appeal can drop off their donations at one of our North East developments and we will then deliver all items we collect to the foodbank.”
Michael Nixon, Newcastle West End Foodbank’s CEO, added: “Newcastle West End Foodbank welcomes this new initiative from Miller Homes. We are as busy as ever and numbers are showing a steady increase as Universal Credit payments are rolled out in our immediate area.
“Over the past five years over half of the £500,000 worth of food we distribute each year has been transported from the South East. This percentage is now falling as we are able to collect more food from around the North East. We would love to have all of the resources we need, both food and finance, to be sourced within our own region. The North East looking after its own.”
Food donations can be made to the sales offices at any Miller Homes development in the North East until Sunday 17 September 2017, including Broadoaks in Bedlington, Barley Meadows in Cramlington,Wheatfields in Seaton Delaval, Portland Wynd in Blyth, Heritage Green in Backworth, Park View in Gateshead, Scholars Gate in Shiney Row, Clairville Grange in Middlesbrough, Wheatlands Chase in Redcar and Hunters Fold in Middleton St George.
Sales centres are open five days a week, Thursdays to Mondays from 10:30am to 5:30pm. For more information on the locations of Miller Homes’ North East developments call 03300 371 997 or visit www.millerhomes.co.uk/locations/north-east-of-england.
For a full list of the items which Newcastle West End Foodbank is most in need of visit www.newcastlewestend.foodbank.org.uk.