Network Rail has announced that a food bank collection point has opened at Manchester Piccadilly station for donations during the pandemic.

The station team came up with the idea after food from the staff canteen at the Square One offices nearby risked going to waste after the lockdown came into effect.

Usually, thousands of Network Rail employees are based at the site but are now working from home, leaving the well-stocked cafeteria with plenty of food and no mouths to feed.

The team donated the supplies to the Manchester Central food bank, where it was found that they were desperately in need of essential items.

To help, the donation point has set up at the station so that staff and passengers, making essential journeys, can give food to a worthy cause.

The collection will be delivered to the food bank each Wednesday.

What did the officials say?

Scott Green, station manager at Manchester Piccadilly, said:

“This is the absolute least we can do to help Manchester Central food bank in this time of national crisis. Food banks are desperate for non-perishable goods, as national demand for tinned produce has risen.

“If you can spare any long-life milk, tinned fish, pasta, rice other canned items, please consider making a donation. If you are using the station for essential travel, speak to a member of staff if you have items to spare. Please don’t come to the station unless your journey is essential.”

Lauren Tunnicliffe, project manager at Manchester Central Food Bank, said:

“At Manchester Central Foodbank we’ve seen a sudden increase in the number of people using our services, including many who have never needed to access a foodbank before. So many of us who thought of ourselves as secure have been thrown into a state of uncertainty, and we will be feeling the effects of this long after the immediate health risk has passed.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to the team at Network Rail who have supported us by setting up this donation point, and to all passengers involved in donating to us.

“Right now every donation that we receive is vital to helping us provide for as many people who are affected by this life-changing situation as possible.”

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