Social enterprise needs help to deliver 100,000 meals to vulnerable people

Having worked tirelessly throughout the pandemic, Eat Well MCR is close to hitting a charity milestone of 50,000 meals delivered to those in need.

Now, Eat Well MCR is aiming to reach an incredible 100,000 target and is asking the people of Manchester to help reach it by donating to the cause. 

What is Eat Well MCR?

The collective, founded by Mary-Ellen McTague, Kathleen O’Connor and Gemma Saunders, is responsible for delivering nearly 45,000 meals to front line workers, vulnerable families and homeless people since it began operating in April 2020. 

The Eat Well Collective is made up of hospitality professionals and volunteers from all sectors.

Despite only forming 14 months ago, the social enterprise has become renowned in Greater Manchester for the inspiring work it has carried out during what has been a tumultuous time for the hospitality industry.

By organising a network of restaurants, the Eat Well MCR collective provide an end-to-end service and carry out everything from buying produce and managing donations to working with the restaurants and delivering meals directly to its community partners.

Eat Well MCR is dedicated to the families who have been most affected by the pandemic, providing good quality meals to those in need.

Now, as lockdown restrictions have eased across the UK, fundraising momentum continues to remain as vital as ever for the charity.

Tackling food poverty in Manchester

“Food poverty is a real issue in Greater Manchester and there is still so much more work to be done to help people in challenging circumstances who rely on the work we carry out,” said Mary-Ellen.

“Food shouldn’t just be about survival; it should feed the soul and be an occasion to look forward to.

“We provide a delicious, restaurant grade meal once a week to vulnerable people across Manchester because we believe it’s something everyone deserves and has a right to.

“We’re so thankful to everyone who has supported and donated to Eat Well MCR after what has been such an uncertain year for so many people.

“We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved over the last year and we couldn’t have done it without the help from the wonderful people who have continued to buy, donate, and shout about us.

“We’re so keen to keep this momentum for donations going and would love to celebrate the delivery of 100,000 meals.”

How Eat Well MCR can help

Emmeline’s Pantry is a women’s charity based in Manchester and is one of the many partner communities benefiting from the work Eat Well carry out.

“Since the beginning of the pandemic we have been very lucky to have had the support of Eat Well MCR,” said Karen Wilson from Emmeline’s Pantry.

“We have had weekly deliveries of wonderful restaurant meals like beautiful handmade pies.

“These meals mean so much to our families for different reasons – some are in temporary accommodation with just a microwave, so having a balanced tasty meal is a real treat.

“It’s a blessing to have a lovely meal made with care, it means more than just the food itself.  

“The feedback we have had from some of the people we support was that it brought back lovely family memories from childhood, enjoying a meal all together.

“We also have the supper club part of our making memories scheme, where we get wonderful takeaway meals delivered to the children – they love the variety, enjoying everything from Nell’s pizzas to Krum donuts, it’s such a treat to our families!

“None of that would be possible without Eat Well MCR and we are incredibly thankful to them for everything they do for us.”

To support Eat Well MCR and help reach the 100,000 meal milestone, provide a monthly or one-off donation by visiting the JustGiving page or eatwellmcr.org.