Palace Kitchen continues to feed families throughout March
Thousands of local people in need have continued to receive healthy and nutritious food thanks to the Palace Kitchen project being extended throughout March.
In 2020, Crystal Palace F.C and Palace for Life Foundation launched Palace Kitchen to provide a lifeline to vulnerable individuals and families, including the homeless, those in emergency housing, and the elderly.
Since then, over 27,000 meals have been distributed by Palace Kitchen and throughout March club chefs have continued to prepare 1,200 meals a week, which have been delivered across south London by project partner City Harvest.
Homeless Britain is one of 10 local charities the meals have been distributed to, feeding almost 100 people in one of their shelters.
Mike from the organisation wanted to express his gratitude: “We have been feeding up to 94 homeless people in a shelter. They are so handy already made up, saves a lot of time without preparing them.
“We have also been giving these out to families with children. Some families are really struggling to feed their children, they have said the meals have been a lifesaver as they are having to eat more at home.”
City Harvest have also distributed meals to Caius House Youth Centre, where a spokesperson said: “Caius House would like to thank Crystal Palace F.C for the meals that they provided to us. We distributed the meals to the families in the local area and the families that have children attending our nursery.
“The feedback was very positive. Parents were grateful to have a meal prepped for them and their family at a time when they are feeling overwhelmed, it helped take the pressure off them. Meals were also delivered to young people living independently, which were appreciated, they even realised that they like jackfruit!”
The Healthy Living Platform have been distributing Palace Kitchen meals to local families. They said: “The families really love these meals when they pick them up on Fridays. They make such a difference for our families who are often rushed on time and lacking the head space to cook after picking up a food parcel with us. Thank you so much.”
The Palace Kitchen was set up with funding from Crystal Palace F.C and individual shareholders to cover the costs of purchasing fresh ingredients, preparing nutritious meals and safely packing and labelling them ready for collection and distribution.
More than £10,000 has since been raised through the generosity of Palace fans, who have donated through a JustGiving page and funds have also been raised by supporters who have taken taken part in the Palace for Life Super Draw.
Palace for Life Foundation chief executive Mike Summers said: “We are grateful to the club for the funding, which enabled us to set up the project, and to the continuing generosity of Palace fans, which has allowed us to continue running it. We would also like to thank our partners City Harvest, who pick up the meals each day from Selhurst Park and distribute them to local voluntary organisations on the front line.”