This lockdown, in partnership with our catering company, Thomas Franks Ltd, and their Feeding Communities Initiative, St Joseph’s have been helping to provide hot meals for the homeless who attend the Churches in Reading Drop-in Centre (CIRDIC).

CIRDIC supports the homeless and disadvantaged people living in the local community and offer a wide range of support services, including hot nutritious meals. However, with the UK in lockdown, access to healthy nutritious food was further restricted for the most vulnerable, as the services that were heavily relied on by places like CIRDIC were reduced.

In response, Thomas Franks created their Feeding Communities Initiative and set out to prepare hot and cold meals to the UK and Europe’s most vulnerable.

With the support of their clients and suppliers who have opened up their kitchens, volunteered their time or generously donated to the cause, Thomas Franks have now delivered over 400,000 meals to over 20 charities and organisations and over 20 NHS hospitals and ambulance services across the UK and Europe.

They believe that “no-one should be without nutritious food” (Frank Bothwell, Founder of Thomas Franks) and are determined to continue their fight to help as many people as they can.

We are delighted to join Thomas Franks in their mission and to offer our support to the homeless and disadvantaged people attending CIRDIC, with thanks to our wonderful catering team.