Thousands of Bloomberg employees have helped pack 500,000 meals for The Felix Project.
The global provider of business and financial information took over Old Billingsgate Market in the city. They created a series of packing stations where employees created food parcels containing essential cupboard items including tinned tomato’s, rice, beans, lentils and chickpeas. The event saw teams going up against the clock to get as many boxes created as possible, the most successful session was on Thursday when a team of Bloomberg Interns packed over 6,000 boxes.
The parcels were then delivered to all four of The Felix Project's depots and are being distributed to families and individuals throughout the capital via the community organisations they supply. One of the first organisations to receive the boxes was Hope at Morningside. Nicolette Nixon is the CEO there and said: "The contents were so well received. Getting essentials like rice, tinned tomatoes and chickpeas, along with the fresh food Felix usually provides, really does help people create the healthy and balanced meals they need, and it also has a positive impact on their mental health and wellbeing.”
The event was part of Bloomberg’s Million Meals Challenge, which sees employees from offices all over the world come together to help address food insecurity. Working in partnership a network of non-profit food providers globally the aim is they pack one million meals for people in need.
In London over 1,700 employees took part. Jemma Read, Head of Global Philanthropy at Bloomberg was one of them, she said: "We’re proud to partner with The Felix Project to help tackle food insecurity across London. Together, we’ve turned our shared commitment into action, providing 500,000 meals to those who need them most. So many Bloomberg employees — truly the Best of Bloomberg — helped transform Old Billingsgate Market into a support hub for our local communities. This milestone is a testament to what’s possible when businesses and charities unite around a common purpose, and we look forward to building on this impact in the years ahead."
The event took place as the school summer holidays began, a time when many more families really struggle to put food on the table. Recent research from The Felix Project found 64% of London teachers expect at least one child in their class to go hungry this summer, with 1 in 7 saying up to six pupils could be affected.
Charlotte Hill OBE, CEO of The Felix Project, who also joined in with the packing on Thursday said: “The food parcels Bloomberg helped to pack will make a difference for so many families, especially those who are really going to feel more financial pressure over the next six weeks. With schools closed and free school meals and breakfast clubs unavailable, it is parents and carers who must pay for the extra meals, which is a cost they cannot afford and that is why events like this are so vital. We were thrilled when Bloomberg suggested it and then organised everything. The Felix Project relies so much on corporate support, and I cannot thank Blomberg and all their staff enough for what has been achieved over these few days – it is phenomenal!”
Photos from Martin James
