Michelin-starred chef Simon Rogan’s customers donated more than £2,500 to Barrow Food Bank thanks to a Black Friday initiative.
His company launched encouraged customers who shopped online, and who bought gift vouchers, Simon Rogan at home meals and a variety of other culinary gifts, during Black Friday to make donations to the charity.
The scheme raised £2,587 in total.
Barrow Food Bank provides three-day emergency parcels to those who are struggling or in crisis in the area.
With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, demand for the charity’s services increased dramatically by 280 per cent.
This increase saw the charity feed 7,380 people, of which 2,991 were children during 2020.
Claire Coulthurst, project manager at Barrow Food Bank, said: ‘’2020 was particularly challenging for us due to the effects of COVID-19.
“Demand for our services increased but alongside that 80 per cent of our volunteers were forced to shield.
“Thankfully, we received support from the public and managed to take on quite a few temporary volunteers.
“We also had to adapt the way we operate, which meant starting a delivery service.’
‘’In the early stages we were supported by British Gas, but as many of their teams returned to work, we had to take over the deliveries ourselves.
“Obviously, this meant our overheads increased quite dramatically, which is why monetary donations like this, made by Simon Rogan and his customers are just as vital to us as receiving food donations. We really appreciate the help the restaurants and customers have provided us with so far and hope that this is a relationship we can continue to build on.’’
Mr Rogan added: “Supporting our local community is very important to me.
“Following such a challenging year we know now more than ever that local charities like this need our support to continue their good work, which is why I’m proud of the team and our customers for donating so generously.
“There are many struggling families who are dependent on food banks, some no doubt will be hospitality industry staff who have suffered considerably from reduced incomes in light of the pandemic.
“So, with this in mind we decided to do what we could to support them with the help of our customers and hopefully ease some of the pressure felt by the people most in need in our community.’’
