Much needed supplies have been delivered to the Ealing Foodbank this week after Greener Ealing teamed up with one of its suppliers to offer aid and support.

Greener Ealing, the council’s waste and recycling provider, supports initiatives such as the foodbank, as part of its promise and commitment as a local business to give back to its community. It joined forces with PlanB, a management solutions company that works with Greener Ealing, to deliver £1,000 worth of goods including nappies, juice, tinned goods and everyday essentials like shower gel and hand wash to St Mellitus Church, in Church Road, Hanwell.

Kevin O’Leary, Greener Ealing’s interim managing director, said: “Since we launched at the start of the pandemic we have been looking at ways to give something back to the community. The foodbank helps hundreds of vulnerable people in the borough each week and something as simple as making a donation can mean a lot to many. We are really happy to be able to support this local charity and help some families in need.”

Maz Akhtar, managing director at Plan B Management Solutions, added: “Having seen the effect that the COVID pandemic has had on families struggling to feed themselves, we wanted to offer some assistance and give back to those in the community that have been finding it difficult to get by. We are fortunate enough to be able to provide donations and do our bit to help this worthy cause.”

The foodbank has helped more than 9,000 people with three-day meal parcels since the beginning of April this year, and around 500 people a week visit its different centres. In the same time period, it gave away 64 tonnes of food to clients. It received 65.7 tonnes, so donations are very much still needed.

Janet Fletcher, Ealing Foodbank manager, said: “Our foodbank has been a lifeline for many, particularly over the last year, and we rely on donations and the goodwill of others to keep it going and offering support to those who can’t afford the essentials. We are always thrilled when businesses like Greener Ealing and PlanB willingly support initiatives like ours and help local people in need.”

During the COVID-19 lockdown, Ealing Council worked closely with Ealing Foodbank and Ealing Community Transport as part of the Ealing Together coalition. Ealing Together worked to bring the community together to meet the needs of isolated and vulnerable residents.

If you would like to make a donation or are looking to volunteer please visit the Ealing Together website.