First Bus donates 125 Christmas meals to New Parks Foodbank in Leicester

First Bus in Leicester will once again be supporting a local foodbank this Christmas.

New Parks Foodbank in Leicester issue around 120 food parcels a week to people in the local community who may have fallen on hard times.

First Bus who run regular bus services in the New Parks and Braunstone Frith area will be providing Christmas meals that will be distributed on the lead up to Christmas by the foodbank to those in need.

In addition, on the lead up to Christmas eve, the bus operator will have Santa driving around the city with his helpers giving out chocolates/sweets to passengers and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and happy new year.

”It has been a challenging year for a lot of people with the cost-of-living crisis, high utility bills and food prices at their highest they have been for many years.

“Many people will be struggling to put a Christmas meal on the table for their families this year, and we wanted to help. Local foodbanks provide a fantastic service in our communities all year round and we wanted to do out bit to support them by providing a Christmas meal for people who are in need.

“In addition, we wanted to spread a little Christmas cheer on the lead up to the festive season, thanking our customers for travelling with us. Santa and his helpers will be out and about on our buses giving out sweets and chocolate and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and happy new year. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that has travelled with us over the last year and wish you and your families a peaceful and prosperous new year for 2024”.

Lindsay Peberdy, Services Manager at New Parks Foodbank said.

"New Parks Foodbank is extremely grateful for this very generous gift from First Bus in Leicester. It will help us to make this season brighter for people for whom winter can be a very hard time.”

"The Christmas Dinner Meals will mean so much to those in need at this time of year. With it being so cold and worrying about heating costs and food costs the fact they have been provided with this meal is so comforting".

"Foodbanks in general across Leicester are struggling financially at the moment and we are no exception, this gift of 120 Christmas meals will make a huge difference to families in the community and we thank First Bus from the bottom of our hearts.