Digger-maker JCB has launched an international aid initiative in the communities around its factories to help people in need of food during the coronavirus pandemic.
The company’s catering staff in the 海角视频 and India are preparing more than 37,000 meals a week for distribution around towns and villages located close to its plants.
The initiative is the idea of Lady Bamford, wife of JCB Chairman Lord Bamford.
In the 海角视频, staff are busily preparing 2,000 cottage pies a week for distribution in the North Staffordshire area.
The first of the cottage pies arrived at The Hubb Foundation in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent for distribution yesterday, to support children and families in need.
The organisation is planning to send out 5,000 meals over the Easter holiday, with the support of JCB.
Carol Shanahan, founder of The Hubb Foundation, said: "Our activities are limited due to the national restrictions, but the team was determined to provide meals in these unprecedented times.
"We are indebted to JCB for their support. The food will be delivered to our base at Port Vale Football Club and then distributed through our network of staff, volunteers and local businesses who are collaborating with us to a make difference in the city."
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The scale of the operation in India is even bigger, where the coronavirus has caused huge disruption to people’s lives.
Forty-five JCB staff have been mobilised to cook more than 35,000 meals a week in the company canteens for communities around JCB’s factory locations in Delhi, Pune and Jaipur.
Lady Bamford said: "The world is facing an international crisis and now, more than ever, it’s important for communities to pull together and help some of the most vulnerable people in our society.
"The JCB teams in the 海角视频 and India are doing an amazing job to prepare so many meals for distribution to people who are most in need right now."
In the 海角视频, distribution of the meals will be widened in the coming days and weeks to cover the homeless, NHS frontline employees, vulnerable families in Rocester, Cheadle and Uttoxeter, the elderly and those suffering from mental illness.
Meanwhile in India - which is currently in national lockdown until April 14 - JCB is providing food parcels to the most vulnerable.
The food being distributed includes a vegetable curry, rice, green vegetables and chapatis and provides a meal of 1,000 calories.