Extra food hampers given to families for Christmas

The Telford & Wrekin Council and Telford-based company Bridge Cheese are working together to deliver grocery baskets to food banks ahead of Christmas.

Additional grocery baskets given to families for Christmas

Bridge Cheese donated 200 baskets containing enough food for a family to cook four dinners.

Telford & Wrekin Council and local food bank Telford Crisis Support have welcomed the donation and are working together to distribute it in time for Christmas.

The baskets will be donated to charities in the community.

Around 1,200 additional meal baskets will also be distributed to children participating in Telford & Wrekin Council’s Happy Healthy Active Holidays program, which offers free holiday clubs packed with activities and a nutritious meal for each session for families taking advantage of free school meals.

Michael Harte, Managing Director of Bridge Cheese said:

“As a cheese and dairy product company, the topic of food is very important to us and we believe it is indispensable – at any time of the year.

“So instead of sending out company Christmas cards and gifts, we wanted to donate money to this initiative to help those most in need in our community.

“We hope the gift baskets will help alleviate the stress and worry of families during the festive period and that they can look back with fond memories of Christmas 2022.”

Bridge Cheese supplies cheese and dairy products to food manufacturers and the hospitality industry.

Established in 2018, the rapidly expanding company employs more than 60 full-time staff at its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Stafford Park, Telford.

Simon Lellow, Operations Manager at Telford Crisis Support said:

“We have seen an unprecedented surge in inquiries from many families feeling the effects of the current cost of living crisis.

“People have been cutting back for a while – buying less, choosing the cheapest option, cooking ahead of time – but they just can’t cut back anymore.

“We must all come together, as we have done during the pandemic, and help our neighbors. Every food donation benefits someone in their community. But we are much more than a table and urgently need monetary donations.”

“We’re here to help anyone who needs it, so please contact us.”

Cllr Shirley Reynolds (Labour), Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families said:

“This donation from Bridge Cheese is incredibly generous and appreciated.

“We are very excited to be giving out these food baskets and will continue to add more food baskets to the number of food baskets that have been distributed.

“It’s devastating that so many people in our county are struggling to afford basic necessities.

“As part of the Council’s continued support in relation to the cost of living crisis, we are providing additional funding to charities such as Telford Crisis Support.”

Pictured: Simon Lellow, Operations Manager at Telford Crisis Support (left) with Michael Heart Michael Harte, Managing Director at Bridge Cheese (right).