A group of British Gas engineers has been volunteering time and resources to help keep the Isle of Wight foodbank stocked amid the coronavirus crisis.
The team has been picking up thousands of pounds worth of food from local supermarkets, and delivering it to the foodbank’s depot in Cowes. Using their British Gas vans means they can carry large volumes of food in each trip, saving a huge amount of time for the foodbank’s regular volunteers.
The team has also been helping to deliver donations from the UK mainland – and has established a regular delivery route from Southampton, bringing 1.5 tonnes of supplies over to the island every week.
Local ferry operator Red Funnel has offered to sponsor the teams’ journeys across the Solent, and has set up food collection stations at ferry terminals to further bolster the foodbank’s stocks.
British Gas’ work on the Isle of Wight comes as the business announces a nationwide partnership with the Trussell Trust, which operate the Isle of Wight foodbank.
The Trussell Trust’s usual volunteer base has been curtailed because many supporters are aged over 70 and have been self-isolating. British Gas hopes its staff can make up the shortfall, using their vans and time to collect donations and carry out vital deliveries.
Paul Richards, customer delivery manager at British Gas, said:
“Foodbanks play an incredibly important role in communities all over the country – now more so than ever.
Article continues below this advertisement “The volunteers here on the Isle of Wight are working so hard to support as many people as they can through these tricky times. It’s been really rewarding to be able to use the resources we have available to help.”
For more information on how British Gas is supporting its customers throughout the coronavirus outbreak visit https://www.britishgas.co.uk/covid19.
Keep up the good work, guys!