Food Collection Point Returns to Acton Central Station
Helping City Harvest provide meals to those in need
David Cranstoun takes donations at the new collection point
October 2, 2024
The food collection point is returning to Acton Central station for the whole of October with the aim of helping deliver an extra 50,000 meals to those experiencing food poverty.
Arriva Rail London (ARL), which operates the London Overground on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), is teaming up again with City Harvest.
The charity gathers quality food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributes it to those in need.
The partnership stems from the efforts of ARL customer host, David Cranstoun, and customer experience strategy delivery manager, Pauline Lawler, who nominated City Harvest in 2023 to receive a one-off donation from the company’s charity scheme.
David and Pauline then worked with colleagues to set up a food collection point at the local station and arranged volunteering for employees at the charity’s warehouse.
Staff from across the ARL network provided the equivalent of 2,799 meals through food collections and monetary donations. The hours volunteered by the ARL team also equated to 12.5 tonnes of food rescued, 29,680 meals delivered to charities and 31 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions prevented.
This year Acton Central is one of seventeen locations at which collection points have been set up.
David Cranstoun said: “It’s a huge honour to be a part of this initiative and to see our partnership with City Harvest develop from a one off donation into an ongoing collaboration. Last year, our colleagues came together to support our local communities. This year, we’re committed to making an even bigger difference."
Shivani Hill, head of environment, social value and governance at ARL, said: “Our goal of providing 50,000 meals will offer critical support to families facing food insecurity this winter. The ARL team is committed to making this year’s campaign a success and looks forward to working with City Harvest and our local communities to make a lasting impact.”
Marco Torquati, head of community impact at City Harvest, said, "Community contributions from Arriva Rail London stations this harvest festival make a huge difference to City Harvest. As one in four Londoners face food poverty, and benefits are constantly being cut for the capital's most vulnerable, extra support via free food is needed amongst our London community partners now more than ever."
David and Pauline outside Acton Central station
You can find out more about how you can support the food redistribution charity by clicking here.
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