Food bank that treats people like humans Caring crew are gearing up for busy winter
AN organisation which provides those struggling in Rochdale with a dignified, respectful alternative to traditional food banks is gearing up for a busy festive period.
As we arrive on the doorstep of 77-year old Doreen Ahmed, her face breaks into a smile, and just for a second, she looks as if she might start to cry.
She’s only stop two on driver Steve’s route, but it’s already abundantly clear that this work is lifechanging.
Steve has come from food bank Humans MCR’S Blackley hub, where staff have spent the morning packing food parcels for Greater Manchester’s most needy.
Doreen is one of Humans MCR’S newest users - but team members say reactions like this come at nearly every stop.
This service is at the heart of our sister title the Manchester Evening News’ Christmas campaign.
We are working with Humans MCR, a food bank with a difference, who deliver to doorsteps across the region, providing those struggling in our communities with a dignified, respectful alternative to traditional food banks.
The team cover Rochdale, Manchester, Salford, Trafford, and Stockport, so depending on how busy the day is, Steve can end up driving for hours.
But he’s cheerful, and it’s clear that with each food delivery also comes a friendly face handing it over.
“I drive the miles to get the smiles!” he said - and smiles he gets.
As we arrived at the house of great-grandmother Doreen in Moston, even the short interaction with Steve lit up her face. “They’re always so lovely,” she told the Observer “It’s a huge help”.
But each neatly packaged food parcel that arrives on the doorsteps of Manchester’s most needy is the product of hard work and commitment from a small team of staff and volunteers.
Based out of their Blackley hub, the Humans MCR team produce and deliver anywhere between 30 and 65 food parcels a day, while also fielding enquiries from potential users and collecting donations.
It’s hard work, but the team here take pride in it.
Co-founder Lewey Hellewell told the Observer how important it is to him that every food package arrives neat and presentable - “I want it to look as good - if not better - than any supermarket delivery,” he said.
Everyone here pitches in each morning to make sure the food is packed, including hub manager Sunita Parsons-solomon and Lewey.
The team work efficiently from forms that users submit, detailing any dietary requirements or preferences - one of the many things that sets Humans MCR apart.
“I’m really proud to work here because I think Humans gives people choice that a lot of other food banks don’t,” Sunita told the Observer.
“Everybody has options, and I think it’s really important that even if you are struggling to buy your own food, you still have agency and still have a decision over what you get.”
Food is packed neatly into crates much like those used on a typical supermarket delivery, and by midday, the room is filled with carefully assembled packages, ready to be delivered.
They are passed onto Steve, one of their two paid delivery drivers, who loads them into his van.
Once all deliveries are out, the team are restocking shelves, picking up food donations from local collections, restocking shelves, and getting ready for the next day.
They’re also constantly picking up referrals and speaking to any potential users, to ensure that people know help is out there.