The meals, which form part of the club’s ‘Unity is Strength’ COVID-19 community response work, provide essential fuel to those who need it most, including Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service firefighters and fire control officers, and North West Ambulance Service staff.
Local school hubs and community groups who are currently supporting some of the most vulnerable children and families in the club’s local communities in Anfield and Kirkby are also receiving hundreds of fresh meals every week.
Freshly prepared in the kitchens at Anfield, the meals offer a range of vegetarian and gluten-free options, including leek and potato soup, katsu chicken curry and braised rice, vegetable Cornish pasty, pasta bolognese, and a trio of cakes.
Gary Oakford, area manager, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said: “As a long-standing partner of the LFC Foundation we were delighted to be considered to be part of this initiative along with our NWAS colleagues.
“The donation of prepared meals for our key workers is most generous and has been welcomed by all of the staff who are working in support of the broader response to COVID-19.”
Forbes Duff, senior manager, Red Neighbours, added: “Since we started producing the meals, we have seen a big uptake and therefore we have been working hard to increase our volumes to support the growing demand.
“Helping more local families, vulnerable people and key workers who are sacrificing so much to help people is really important to us – we want to help our local communities as much as we can.
“If we can take the pressure off key workers by providing them with a fresh meal so they don’t have to cook after an exhaustingly long shift, or to school hubs who are doing a fantastic job looking after vulnerable children and key workers’ children – that’s really the least we can do to say thank you.”
North West Ambulance Service deputy chief executive, Michael Forrest, said: “This is a fabulous gesture by Liverpool Football Club and I’m sure I speak for all the staff in Merseyside when I say how grateful we are.
“Our staff are working incredibly hard at the moment. Knowing there is a hot, nutritious meal waiting for them will go a long way in letting them know how well thought of they are by the communities they serve. I’m sure the staff will love them!”