Members of the Manchester Building Society team recently visited FareShare Greater Manchester, based in New Smithfield Market in Openshaw, to support the charity in packing and redistributing food that would otherwise have gone to waste. As part of Newcastle Building Society Group, team members are offered the chance to spend two paid days a year volunteering in the local community.
FareShare Greater Manchester provides people in need with millions of meals per year. The charity’s goal is to strengthen communities through food, reducing food waste and CO2 emissions.
Following a health and safety briefing and a presentation about FareShare Greater Manchester’s approach and impact, the team worked in the warehouse for the morning and then went out with the drivers in the afternoon to make deliveries to local charities.
Emily Mesce from Manchester Building Society said:
“It was a truly eye-opening and humbling experience to meet the people running day-to-day operations for FareShare Greater Manchester and to see first-hand where the food goes and how nothing is wasted.
“We distributed 6.38 tonnes of food across Manchester, enough to make 15,200 meals. The food went to 58 community groups and will have fed at least 6,670 people across the region. Almost two thirds of that food would have gone to waste if FareShare Greater Manchester hadn’t been there to get it to the people who need it most.”
Kuda Mangurenje, Business Engagement Lead, FareShare Greater Manchester said:
"The team from Manchester Building Society brought incredible enthusiasm from start to finish! From engaging with my morning presentation to diving straight into picking and packing orders, they were eager to get stuck in and make a difference. Going out with our drivers, they saw first-hand the impact of our work and just how vital local business support is in keeping our operation running. Their energy and commitment were truly inspiring, and we are so grateful for their help in fighting hunger and food waste in our community.”
As it continues to invest in Greater Manchester, Manchester Building Society will be looking for more charitable organisations to partner with and will be working alongside Forever Manchester to distribute grants to local groups.