FC United's community food hub receives grant from the National Lottery

FC United’s food hub, which has been providing members of the local community with food, supplies and support throughout the pandemic, has been awarded a grant of around £35,000 from the National Lottery.

The funding will enable us to carry on the work we have been doing into 2021. The Food Hub has been featured on BBC One’s The One Show and Granada Reports on ITV, which you can watch here.



Since its inception, the food hub has been a vital lifeline to vulnerable members of the community in Moston and North Manchester. Users of the scheme initially included those shielding, self-isolating, the elderly and people with underlying health conditions who were unable to go out and access food and essential supplies during the first lockdown. The food hub stocks and delivers essential supplies to these people and to date has delivered 2,250 parcels of food to around 250 people.

Please click here if you are able to help in any way (helping in the hub during the week / cash or food donation etc ) - thank you


Volunteers
The service is provided by a team of more than 50 dedicated volunteers who source, set out, pack and drive food parcels, just to name a few of the many roles required. The hub has been supported by local businesses both small and large, who provide invaluable help through the donation of food and in other ways.

The community has come together for this project and it has had a positive impact beyond just the service users themselves. The scheme operates on referrals by professionals in the community who can identify those who benefit from it the most. This includes social workers, health visitors and community care navigators, ensuring those with the greatest need are looked after by our team.

Many factors such as a service user’s dietary requirements and access to cooking facilities are considered when packages are being prepared. The food from the hub is of high quality and always fresh, including fresh fruit, vegetables and meat.

Not only does the food hub provide these vital supplies to the community, they also help direct individuals and families to external community groups who can provide additional assistance beyond the resources of the food hub. For example, a family in need of a fridge freezer, or a new mother in need of baby supplies and furniture.

Ethos
In line with our club community ethos and values, FC United’s community officer Vinny Thompson is deeply committed to helping those in need during these economically challenging times. He said: “We’re not angels and we’re not here for success stories, we’re just people who care and we’re here to help.”

With the UK’s second full lockdown of the pandemic now in operation, it is expected that demand for the hub’s services will surge once again as families struggle to get by. The National Lottery grant will help to ensure the continuity of distributing these vital supplies and we will also be able to embark on some new projects in the run up to Christmas and beyond.

In the meantime, keep an eye out for a very special new flag that will be displayed at the ground in time for our Emirates FA Cup game on Saturday against Doncaster Rovers, which you can watch live on BBC Two from 5:15pm.