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Zeb Nash, who volunteers as an Avanti West Coast Community Champion, with a collection box for donations made to Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank

Avanti West Coast teams up with foodbank to help those in need

Avanti West Coast creates dedicated foodbank donation point to help those in need. 

  • Avanti West Coast creates dedicated foodbank donation point at station
  • Partnership designed to make it easier for people to help those in need
  • Customers and community invited to support vital service with food donations

Avanti West Coast has teamed up with a local foodbank to offer a dedicated donation point at a Staffordshire station ahead of National Food Bank Day.  

At Stoke-on-Trent, Avanti West Coast Customer Service Assistant, Zeb Nash, set up a donation point for the city’s foodbank that is supported by The Trussell Trust, who work to combat poverty and hunger across the UK. 

Zeb, who volunteers as a dedicated Avanti West Coast Community Champion, wanted to revive the collections made by Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank after they were paused during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The partnership comes as the UK today (Friday 6 September) marks National Food Bank Day – recognised annually on the first Friday of September that acknowledges the work of foodbanks and their volunteers.

Stoke-on-Trent station has a dedicated donation point – providing a prominent place in the city for the community to donate food items to help those in need.    

The foodbank, which has 15 distribution centres covering the whole of Stoke-on-Trent, has been helping people in the area since May 2012. They provide nutritionally balanced emergency food supplies which last for three days and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis.

“Our previous drop off point for Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank was very popular with customers and the community who kindly made donations, which were collected by volunteers,” Zeb explained. “At Avanti West Coast we’re aware there’s still a need for this vital service and want to help as many people as possible to offer their support, which is why we’ve reintroduced a drop off. ”    

Anyone who wishes to donate items of food can do so in the boxes provided or speak to a member of the Avanti West Coast team at the station.

The intercity operator has also rolled out donation points at its offices in Birmingham and London to encourage donations for local services, which provide emergency food parcels to those in need.

Joanna Buckley, Avanti West Coast Community Manager, said: “We want to make a difference in the communities we serve, so we’re proud to have joined up with foodbanks across our route to support their vital work with donation points at our stations and offices.

“By making it easier for our customers and the community to do their bit to help others, we hope to keep foodbanks stocked up so they can provide for those in need.”

Corrine Boden MBE, Director of Services at Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank, said: “We have seen a significant increase in the cost of food and provisions. Food is an expensive commodity. We value and appreciate every single donation, whether it is a single item or multiple items, we know it is making a difference to those in food crisis.

“On behalf of all our volunteers, staff, Trustees and our guests, we would like to thank Avanti West Coast, their customers and staff for generously supporting the Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank. It is greatly appreciated.”

ENDS

Contact Information

Laura Normansell

Avanti West Coast

laura.normansell@avantiwestcoast.co.uk

Notes to editors

Main image: Zeb Nash, who volunteers as an Avanti West Coast Community Champion, with a collection box for donations made to Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank

About Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank    

We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

We have 15 Distribution Centres covering the whole of Stoke-on-Trent with 16 sessions per week, a dedicated warehouse space using the whole of an empty Methodist Church building with a compact office space.

Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank | Helping Local People in Crisis

About Avanti West Coast   

Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward.

We’re on a mission to revolutionise train travel. Our refurbed Pendolinos have returned to the rails with a £117m investment that’s delivering the best in class comfort. Known as the UK’s hardest working fleet, the programme is transforming all 56 of these iconic trains boasting better seats, improved lighting, new interior carpets, customer-friendly passenger information screens, additional luggage space, power points at every seat and refurbished toilets.

Our new Evero fleet was introduced in June 2024 and will replace our Voyagers. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, will serve routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West, leading to a substantial cut in carbon emissions with an increase in seats, and offering improved comfort. Quieter and roomier, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electrical devices and a real-time customer information system, these new trains are the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel.

We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.

For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/

Press Office: 0845 000 3333