The Big Issue Foundation joins forces with Social Bite for the Christmas Meal Appeal

Helen Mirren has launched the Christmas Meal Appeal, in partnership with Just Eat and asked users to support a collective of charities this Christmas – including The Big Issue Foundation.

The food delivery app is encouraging members of the public to donate £3, £5 or £10 when they order a takeaway and Just Eat will be donating more meals this Christmas.

Just Eat is using its entire network as a force for good, with employees, restaurant partners and delivery couriers planning to volunteer, fundraise, and deliver free meals and Christmas essentials to those in need.

Funds raised will be donated to charities Social Bite – a movement to end homelessness – and FoodCycle who support low-income families, the homeless, and those experiencing mental health problems by providing meals from surplus food that would have otherwise gone to waste.

Funds donated to The Big Issue Foundation will be used to support vendors with food provisions over the winter. In addition, local Just Eat Restaurants will be donating food directly to Big Issue vendors while they are on their pitches on two days this week. This includes Big John’s in Birmingham, Spice Express in Bristol and Cafe Route in London.

The Big Issue Foundation Chief Executive Tracy Griffin said: “This pandemic has hit Big Issue vendors hard – especially with the plan B restrictions which have once again disrupted their ability to earn a living selling the magazine. The money raised from this campaign means that we can provide food vouchers to vendors during a particularly tough winter, as well as bringing some much-needed festive cheer”.

The Christmas Meal Appeal is running alongside another initiative from Social Bite, the Festival of Kindness. Social Bite founder, Josh Littlejohn said: “Our festival of kindness campaign aims to spread some festive cheer. In a world where you can be anything, we’re urging people to be kind and buy or donate a little extra to help those who need it most – even the smallest of gifts will make a huge difference.”

As part of the Social Bites Festival of Kindness, corporate partner Mitchells and Butlers have collected gifts from their generous employees in the area to benefit Birmingham vendors directly. The presents will be distributed to vendors this week, to keep them going through the busy Christmas period out on their pitches.

Together, the Christmas Meal Appeal aims to fund at least 200,000 meals to feed those in need this festive season. Find out more about Christmas Meal Appeal on Social Bite’s explainer, and remember to add that donation when ordering on Just Eat this Christmas. As you get your delicious takeaway, you will also be helping ensure Big Issue vendors in your area have enough food to get through the winter.