School's incredible meal donation will see 1,000 vulnerable people fed

The initiative, launched by Thomas Franks who supply the Blackburn independent school, took place last Thursday and saw 10,000 meals distributed in a single day across 14 towns and cities in the UK.

James Pate, Westholme’s Catering Manager, said: “We produced 1,000 high quality balanced meals to help feed the most vulnerably for the Big Feed. All the kitchen staff have been furloughed while the school is closed, but most volunteered to come back in to help with this project. We cooked a meat, halal and vegetarian option from the kitchens at the Infant School and worked in shifts to adhere to social distancing. Not only are we helping to provide meals to those who need them, we are also helping our supply chain and doing something for our community.”

Frank Bothwell, founder of Thomas Franks, added: “This is a wonderful initiative, which I am proud of. It is more important than ever right now to serve our communities. I am so grateful to Westholme for opening their catering facilities and for their ongoing support throughout this uncertain time, by working together we can achieve so much."

In addition to The Big Feed project, Westholme are providing an additional 770 hot meals a week to vulnerable people in Blackburn, via Blackburn Youth Zone, Newground in association with Together Housing Group, Age UK and the North West Ambulance station – thanks to funding from the Thomas Frank’s Foundation and Newground. Thomas Franks are using their distribution network to ensure that these meals are allocated to people who are most in need.

James added: “Doing something that is helping so many people gives you such a good feeling. This funding has allowed us to reopen the kitchens and enable Westholme to give back to the people of Blackburn who need it most.”