Charity that uses businesses' surplus food to feed the vulnerable in call for support

A charity that redistributes surplus food to feed vulnerable people across London has launched a funding campaign after donations skyrocketed.

City Harvest has received approximately 20 tonnes of food a day since 17 March, having previously received about 35 tonnes of food a week.

Among the donations received were a tonne of chicken from Nando's, prime steaks from Hawksmoor and burgers from Lidgate. On top of this, Facebook sent the charity two van loads of food from all their onsite restaurants; Barings Investments sent 100kg of fruit and vegetables; and Hammersmith Library sent half a tonne of fruit and vegetables.

An additional 20 volunteers a day are helping the charity to process and distribute the food, including many who have been furloughed from hospitality businesses.

More than 140 van loads of food are being distributed a week and in the last seven days 110 tonnes of food created 255,000 meals.

The charity is working its way through the initial influx of food received when hospitality businesses were forced to close, but still needs donations, volunteers and food.

More information about City Harvest can be found here. The charity's Gofundme campaign can be found here.