Foundation needs food donations to help families

The Elias Mattu Foundation has been supporting more than 500 people each week by delivering food parcels to people who are self-isolating, as well as elderly and vulnerable people.

The foundation, launched in memory of the late Mayor of Wolverhampton, has helped about 100 extra families in need since the pandemic started.

Councillor Asha Mattu, who runs the foundation, spoke about the level of demand and what is meant for the supplies at the foundation.

She said: "We've had families who were on our list over half-term and haven't been able to come off it and I don't know how they were surviving.

"One person rang me this morning to say she couldn't cope as she didn't have enough money, so I helped her with an application form to sign up with us.

"The demand really has increased, with more phone calls and emails coming in from referrals to us, with families who are having to self-isolate because of Covid."

Councillor Mattu said the increase in demand meant a need for more donations to help the foundation to help the families in need.

Items required include cereal, pasta, pasta sauce, soup, beans, tinned vegetables, fruit, biscuits, rice, eggs, sugar, tea bags, coffee and milk, as well as specialist items like baby food and pet food.

Councillor Mattu said she also wanted to provide fresh fruit and vegetables as part of the parcels as well, so asked for those items to be donated as well.

Food items can be dropped off at a number of locations around the city, with the main drop off location at 8 Owen Road, Wolverhampton.

For more information, go to facebook.com/eliasmattufoundation or call Asha on 07904 310530.