Staff at Spire Leeds Hospital pitch in at foodbank to help people in need

The team has been lending a helping hand with everything from organising drop-offs to packing food parcels for those in need, with volunteers working in shifts through the day.

Among the first to volunteer was Tabs Chaudhary, a bookings co-ordinator at Spire. She said: “We are living in unprecedented times with the devastating effect of coronavirus and I’ve never seen so many people suffering the impact and struggling for work in the Leeds area.”

Leeds has seen an increase in demand in recent months as more and more families are forced to seek help. The centre, part of the Trussell Trust, regularly gives out more than 100 parcels a week containing a three-day supply of everything from canned goods to toilet rolls, toothpaste and deodorant. The past 12 weeks has seen the facility delivering 1,234 parcels feeding 2,729 people - of which 1,015 were children.

Volunteer Katie Alston, a governance administrator at Spire, said: “The logistics involved in getting the food parcels out to those who need them are quite complex and the food bank is extremely well organised. It’s comforting to know that this organisation is helping families in these times of crisis.”

The volunteering forms part of a Spire-wide initiative to support Trussell Trust food banks nationwide. Staff at each hospital have also been challenged to raise £250, which will be matched by Spire Healthcare while its food supplier Bidfood has pledged to boost the donations in food value. For more information on how to donate or receive help, visit leedsnorthandwest.foodbank.org.uk.