If you’ve been wondering what’s been going on behind the scenes at our food distribution hubs, check out this fantastic video from Sunny Karagozlu, founder of Edible London.
Sunny set up Edible London over two years ago as a local community interest organisation to work against food poverty and for sustainability.
Haringey Council has been partnering with Edible London to mobilise local volunteers, to deliver food to those who need it most during the coronavirus pandemic. Emergency supplies, groceries and hot meals have been distributed from Community Kitchens and our hubs at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Alexandra Palace. Our work is supported by funds secured by Haringey Giving.
Together the council and Edible have delivered over 1,000 parcels each week, and are sending out 600 hot meals each day.
Here, Sunny takes us behind the scenes at the Edible London food distribution hubs.
Sunny – leading the operation for Edible London – said:
“We’re tackling COVID-19 in partnership with Haringey Council so we can grow on this, scale up and make it more sustainable. So many people are collaborating on this to make this work. Food is coming in from so many different corners and so many different relationships.
“The way this operation has scaled up and the infrastructure that Haringey Council has given us in order to be able to do this, it’s just mind-blowing. I cannot put it into words. This is magic in its making. It’s teamwork that makes the dream work.”
Sanjay Mackintosh – leading the operation for Haringey Council – said:
“Our delivery hubs are bringing vital supplies to those who need them most in Haringey. I’m so inspired with how the community is coming together to help during this crisis. Sunny is a real hero and we’re lucky to be able to work so closely with him – and other amazing charities and volunteers – here in Haringey. I also want to say a massive thank you to the more than 500 people who have signed up to volunteer to help with our community effort. This community spirit really shows the best of our borough.”
The borough’s residents have also been donating to Haringey Giving’s COVID-19 Appeal. More than £28,000 of the £50,000 target has now been raised for the fund, which is to support people and organisations across Haringey making efforts to support the most vulnerable in our communities, such as the homeless, elderly and isolated and those on low incomes.
Thirteen local projects have now been awarded grants, with a total value of £58,064, and priority has been given to not-for-profit projects which are providing emergency food and supplies to Haringey’s most vulnerable residents.
Colin Bowen, the Director of Haringey Giving, said:
“We are delighted to have been able to provide £5,000, within just a matter of hours, to help Edible London build their team and widen their reach to the most vulnerable people across Haringey. We are immensely grateful to the public for their huge support and need this to continue to help us get much needed funds out quickly to the point of need during this unprecedented crisis.”
Although donations are continuing to come in, demand for grants is much greater than the funds available and so more donations are greatly needed. If you would like to donate, please visit the Haringey Giving website – every little helps and we are grateful for all donations, no matter how small.
Find out more about the work going on to support residents in Haringey: https://www.haringey.gov.uk/covid-19/haringey-together
