Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Housing

Food service provider helps homeless beat the cold snap with freezer jackets

Bidfood are serving up a new way to keep people warm this winter – by donating insulated coats to Salvation Army

Bidfood Salvation Army

A national foodservice provider have cooked up a fresh plan to protect homeless people from cold snaps this winter with freezer jackets.

Bidfood have donated 25 freezer suits suits, 2 freezer trousers and 2 pairs of warm gloves to Salvation Army branches across the country.

I am really keen for this initiative to be rolled out across more of our depots and it’s great to know that everything we can donate will be put to really good use

The heavy-duty clothing is used by staff at Bidfood while working in freezers and can stand up to plummeting temperatures down to a chilly -24°C.

To help deal with the freezing winter weather, representatives from Bidfood depots in Stowmarket, Glasgow, Cannock, Slough, Lee Mill and Worthing personally delivered the clothing to nearby Salvation Army outlets as well as hatching plans to co-operate more closely in the future.

Further donations at other depots including Gateshead and Basingstoke are to follow.

Norman Wemyss, chief operating officer at Bidfood, said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with The Salvation Army, by donating specialist cold weather clothing to help those most in need.

Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

“Many of our depots already regularly work with The Salvation Army, by giving food and volunteering their own time and we are delighted to be able to offer clothing as well.

“I am really keen for this initiative to be rolled out across more of our depots and it’s great to know that everything we can donate will be put to really good use.”

Keep reading the journalism that powers our mission

Register free to continue and learn more about the stories, campaigns and the support we provide, helping people facing poverty across the UK.

Big Issue vendors will still be out selling the magazine whatever the weather. Support your vendor by picking up this week’s magazine, where we celebrate the 25th anniversary of Horrible Histories by touring Durham with author Terry Deary. We also explore the hostile designs in our public spaces on the back of the Bournemouth benches row.

Our 2020 Impact Report

The Big Issue has given more than £1 million support to Big Issue vendors struggling due to the lockdown restrictions. To mark the significant milestone, we have published an impact report, documenting the seismic shift the organisation has undergone in the past 12 months.

View Report
Advertising helps fund Big Issue’s mission to end poverty

Do you know how Big Issue 'really' works?

Watch this simple explanation.

Recommended for you

View all
An academic put trackers on homeless people to see what they could learn. Here's what they did next
University of Roehampton lead researcher Dr Melissa Jogie
Homelessness

An academic put trackers on homeless people to see what they could learn. Here's what they did next

There is a taboo around periods and homelessness. It's leaving women sleeping rough on the streets
A homeless women pictured going behind the bins to get some privacy while on her period
Homelessness

There is a taboo around periods and homelessness. It's leaving women sleeping rough on the streets

What counting women sleeping rough in London taught me about Andy Burnham's homelessness promise
a woman sitting on the side of a road
Homelessness

What counting women sleeping rough in London taught me about Andy Burnham's homelessness promise

How Big Issue inspired government to bring empty homes back into use
boarded up empty homes
Housing

How Big Issue inspired government to bring empty homes back into use