Feeding the community at Christmas

The Exeter Chiefs Foundation and a city food charity are once again joining forces to bring some festive cheer to hundreds of people this Christmas Day.

Thousands of pounds were set aside by the foundation’s trustees to pay for lunches and treats.

And generous food supply companies kindly donated crate loads of seasonal favourites to boost supplies.

Last year the Foundation and Exeter Food Action provided more than 1,000 meals on the big day.

And it is hoped that their joint 2023 campaign will also be a cracker more than that number being fed!

Exeter Food Action rescues excess food from shops and suppliers and redistributes it to organisations that support people in need.

The service is free and supported entirely by grants and donations.

But once again, there were concerns this year that leftover stock might be in short supply as the continuing cost of living crises forces shoppers, and supermarkets to tighten their belts.

The Exeter Chiefs Foundation team of trustees agreed once again to use a pot of money to help ease the burden on anyone struggling this Christmas.

Exeter Food Action was again tasked with co-ordinating this year’s campaign.

Foundation trustee and celebrity chef, Michael Caines MBE, said: “As a charity our mission is to improve the lives of the people in our community.

“It makes me incredibly sad to think that what should be a day of celebration will be a testing time for those most affected by the cost of living crisis.

“Exeter Food Action have pulled out all the stops and it’s been a joy working with the team there.

“And I would also like to thank the very kind business, many of whom I work with throughout they year to supply my restaurants, for putting their hands in their pockets to support us.”

Exeter Food Action Coordinator, Elizabeth Butland, said: “The food we usually rescue might have been disposed of because it has a short date left on it, has damaged packaging, or might simply be surplus to requirements.

“The two issues we have in the run up to Christmas are that any surplus festive stock will be donated to us far too late for it to reach our users in time for December 25 and we simply don’t know what we are going to get, which makes planning almost impossible.

“By working with the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, we have made sure that the right food reaches the right people at the right time. This is an incredibly generous gift, and we are grateful for the opportunity to make a difference to so many people this Christmas.”

Exeter Chiefs players Josh Hodge and Sam Maunder took a break from their day jobs to help out in the run up to Christmas.

Sam said: "As a local lad it's great to be able to put something back into the community."