- Cadent volunteers lend a hand at Britain’s biggest foodbank in Coventry
- Volunteers help Coventry Foodbank deal with a record 23 tonnes of donations
- Cadent, Britain’s largest gas distribution network, committed to volunteering in the communities it serves
With a distribution operation that could rival Santa’s, Britain’s biggest Foodbank in Coventry received a welcome hand this week from local gas network Cadent.
A ten-strong team of volunteers from Cadent’s Holbrooks and Hinckley offices pitched in at Coventry Foodbank’s Binley warehouse to help sort and prepare a record number of food donations, ready for city residents in crisis this Christmas.
Coventry Foodbank Project Manager Hugh Mcneill said: “This is our busiest time of year so we have really welcomed the extra help.
“Since 1 December we’ve taken delivery of 23 tonnes of food – a 10% increase on last year. People have been incredibly generous, donating food, and even Christmas gifts for children.
“The help we have had from Cadent and our other corporate volunteers has been invaluable in sorting those food donations and getting them ready to be distributed to those in need this Christmas.”
The Cadent volunteers quickly got to work, sorting out tins and packets into expiry date order and food types, ready to be packed into three-day emergency food supplies.
Cadent accountant Chris Daplyn, who co-ordinated the volunteers, said: “I’m more used to bean counting than bean shifting but this was such a worthwhile thing to do and I would recommend it to anyone.
“The Coventry Foodbank does great work in supporting people who have nowhere else to turn, not only in providing food but also other services to help them get back on their feet.”
Mr Mcneill appealed to people to continue to support the Foodbank after the festive season has waned.
“People’s generosity in the run-up to Christmas has been astonishing and greatly appreciated but the foodbank is a year-round operation and we would appeal to people to continue to support us,” he said.
“Donating as little as £1 a week to the foodbank or setting up a food collection point at your business can make a huge difference and stop people from going hungry. To donate, volunteer or find out more about Coventry Foodbank go to
https://coventry.foodbank.org.uk/”
Coventry Foodbank is part of the Trussell Trust’s network of 428 foodbanks across the country. Since 2016 demand for the foodbank has risen by 35% and during 2017-18, it gave out 20,200 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis in the city.
Cadent Social Responsibility Specialist Laura Barnes said: “Throughout the year we encourage our employees to volunteer and help out the communities and neighbourhoods which they serve, when they can. I’m delighted that Cadent volunteers have been able to help spread a little Christmas cheer by helping out this very worthy local cause.”
Earlier this year, Cadent announced details of its new community initiatives which focus on engaging and volunteering with the communities it serves. For more on Cadent’s CSR programme visit
https://cadentgas.com/about-us/responsibility/corporate-social-responsibility
- The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a FREE service to help people who are living in vulnerable situations. Especially those who have extra communication, access or safety needs. For more information or to let Cadent know if you are concerned about a gas user who may be in vulnerable situation call 0345 835 1111, more information on the PSR can also be found at https://cadentgas.com/help-advice/supporting-our-customers/priority-services-register
Cadent staff volunteering at Coventry Foodbank.