With our ability to connect in person this year so limited, we’ve chosen some causes local to our team, and our customers, to reach out this holiday season.
For so many, 2020 has been an incredibly difficult year. The strain that rising unemployment and uncertainty has placed on household finances has plunged thousands into financial difficulty. The Trussell Trust predicts a staggering 61% increase in the need for food parcels across the country this Christmas— equating to six parcels given out a minute.
But we can come together to help.
With our work at Aire grounded in our commitment and care for the consumer we’re marking the festive season by making a number of small donations to local charities. Here’s who we’re delighted to support:
1. The Trussell Trust
With 58 food banks across London alone, The Trussell Trust supports local food bank networks across the UK. More than just providing practical support, the charity empowers volunteers to help identify the root causes that lock people into poverty, helping to build resilience so they are less likely to need a food bank in the future. And with donations made until Christmas being doubled through the charity, every pound given means even more right now.
2. Edinburgh Food Project
For hundreds of people in Scotland, 2020 has meant accessing a food bank centre for the first time. The Edinburgh Food Project is helping with eight food banks located across the city. They’ve introduced a home delivery service in response to Covid-19, allowing the charity to meet the needs of those in financial hardship without them putting themselves at risk by leaving their home.
3. Miriam’s Kitchen
Serving more than 75,000 fresh, healthy meals a year, Miriam’s Kitchen is a well-known institution in Washington DC. The charity has a number of specialisms, from healthy meals and advocacy to housing services. With our US operations at Aire based out of the city, the common goal held by the charity, ‘to guide people home’ is one that resonates with us.
4. Connecticut Food Bank
Connecticut Food Bank operates through a network of community-based programmes, such as soup kitchens, food pantries and shelters to provide nutritious food to those who need it most. As a result of the pandemic, the charity has seen a 44% increase in demand yet a 60% decrease in corporate food donations. Despite the challenging circumstances, they’ve managed to serve an incredible 147,000 people every month this year.
From all of us at Aire, we wish you a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.
