- Just Eat’s Christmas Meal Appeal with charity Social Bite aims to provide up to 200,000 meals for homeless and vulnerable people across the UK
- Funds raised will be distributed to by Social Bite to three local charities including Welcome Organisation, Depaul Ireland and Simon Community Belfast
- Customers can donate whilst ordering their takeaway and Just Eat will match their donations from Monday December 7th, raising funds for at least 100,000 meals
Dame Helen Mirren has urged the people of Belfast to help raise money for homeless and vulnerable people in an appeal launched by Just Eat and Social Bite. Other well-known faces including Rob Brydon and Sir Chris Hoy have posted videos backing the new Christmas Meal Appeal launched by Just Eat in partnership with charities Social Bite & FoodCycle.
The appeal comes after reports detail the increasing issue of homelessness in the UK, and the increased pressure and reliance on charities as the nation deals with the economic and social fallout of the Covid pandemic.
2020 has been like no other, but one positive outcome from this exceptionally challenging year is the sense of community and camaraderie that has emerged. Over two-thirds of people in the city say they will make more of an effort this Christmas than ever before to help those less fortunate and almost 80% (78.6%) are more appreciative of the comforts they have following the events of 2020.
The funds raised will be distributed by Social Bite, who support homeless people through meal donations, to three different charities throughout Belfast including Welcome Organisation, Depaul Ireland and Simon Community Belfast, who all help those affected by homeless. The initiative has also been praised by former government advisor on homelessness, Dame Louise Casey, who remains one of the UK’s most active advocates around the issues of homelessness and food poverty.
The Just Eat Christmas Meal Appeal is the perfect opportunity to help out and give back as we move towards the Christmas celebration, with many of us now hoping to be able to spend it with at least some of our family and friends. Just Eat has committed to raising funds for at least 100,000 Christmas meals for homeless and vulnerable people and with support from customers, are aiming to fund up to 200,000. Customers can take part by clicking the donation button whilst they order their takeaway. They’ll have the choice of making a £3, £5 or £10 donation and Just Eat will match it, pound for pound.
Andrew Kenny UK MD for Just Eat commented:
After an exceptionally difficult year for so many, we're proud to partner with Social Bite & FoodCycle, matching customers' donations pound for pound to provide tens of thousands of Christmas meals for the UK’s homeless and vulnerable people.
Josh Littlejohn from Social Bite added:
This year has been a lot more difficult than most, with many people finding themselves financially vulnerable and in the worst-case, homeless. We know that Christmas, in particular, can be a very challenging time which is why we’re delighted to be partnering with Just Eat for the Christmas Meal Appeal to help fill at least 100,000 plates this year all over the UK.
Kieran Hughes, Fundraising and Marketing Manager at Welcome Organisation said:
The Welcome Organisation is absolutely delighted to be part of this amazing partnership between Social Bite and Just Eat.
Through Drop-in Centre, our Street Outreach service, our Crisis Accommodation for Women and our Floating Support service, The Welcome Organisation prepares over 120 freshly cooked meals for people affected by homelessness in Belfast every day.
By supporting us in delivering this meal service over the Christmas period Just Eat will be making a real and positive difference to our work and in turn to the lives of the people we support.
Mark McGreevy, Depaul Group Chief Executive said
This year has been incredibly challenging for everyone and even more so for the most vulnerable members of our society.
We’re proud to be working with Social Bite and Just Eat, allowing us to provide meals around Christmas and throughout the winter period to those in Belfast who may be spending it alone and without a decent meal.
I’d encourage anyone who can, to make the donation when they order from Just Eat. This small contribution can go such a long way and make a huge difference to those who need help the most during this festive period.
Kirsten Hewitt, Director of Homelessness Services at Simon Community Northern Ireland, said
Christmas can be a time of heightened loneliness and worry for many experiencing homelessness, particularly this year, which can often compound complex issues our residents may already be facing, such as ill mental health.
The money raised through the Social Bite and Just Eat’s campaign will help us provide festive meals to those accessing our services over the holiday period. A hot meal does more than just provide sustenance though, it helps increase that person’s sense of self-worth, makes them feel included at Christmas and as a result can help improve their wellbeing.