FOODBANKS and homelessness groups across Coventry and Warwickshire have benefited from almost £6,000, donated by Coventry and Warwickshire’s community-based trade union Unite.
The donations to 12 organisations came about after branches at Jaguar Land Rover(JLR), Aston Martin and Coventry Building Society and the area’s People’s Assembly.
Union members were so shocked by both the levels of food poverty and by the large numbers who were either rough sleeping or will not have a roof over their heads this Christmas, they took the decision to support these organisations that help feed families in poverty and work with the homeless.
Phil Street, Coventry and Warwickshire Unite in the Community secretary said ‘These are tough times and we have been humbled by the efforts being made by food banks and homelessness groups.
“Our members are appalled by the fact that the sixth richest country in the world is condemning so many of its citizens to a Christmas without enough food on the table or a home to call their own.
“We haven’t moved very far since Dickens was writing his book a Christmas Carol’.
Mr Street said that despite future work place uncertainty, Unite the Union members at JLR have been massively generous.
“They have acted in a true spirit of Christmas and donated by far the largest proportion of the money that has been given.
With just one food bank In Coventry providing nearly 200 Christmas meal packages, the union’s donation will help pay for some of the food.
“Foodbanks and homelessness groups are providing for ever increasing numbers and the Covid crisis has added more pressure on their limited resources.
“The unions member’s contribution will go some way to ensuring those families and people most at risk in Coventry and Warwickshire will get a little good cheer this Christmas.”
