The COOK Kindness Fund
“No act of kindness, however small, is wasted.”
Aesop
In early March 2020 we started putting aside free meals in our shops for customers looking after vulnerable neighbours. These Random Acts of Kindness grew into the COOK Kindness Fund, with the goal of donating 100,000 COOK meals and treats to those most in need during the pandemic in the communities around our shops and kitchens.
We reached our initial target we in June 2020 and in the run up to Christmas set aside a further 50,000 meals for local people in need. As of March 2021, we had given away approaching 200,000 meals working with hospitals, care homes, food banks and local community groups to help those struggling due to the Covid-19 crisis.
From April 2021, we are making the Kindness Fund a permanent part of our work to nourish communities wherever we operate. Each of our shops will be working with a local partner or partners to distribute up to 30 free meals each week.
Paul Huxley, G-Force, Altrincham: “COOK Wilmslow has been so generous in helping us feed 60+ isolated elderly people. Your food feeds the body and the soul, it’s real comfort food that makes people feel happy during some very difficult times.”
Dan McAlpine, City Harvest, London: "The meals we’ve had from the COOK Kindness Fund have been a huge help. We feel that people in our community are now more aware of the big difference a small act of kindness can make and we hope this continues."
Fran Newman, Christ Church, Banstead: “Thank you so much for setting up and allowing us to take part in the Cook Kindness Fund. We have a weekly delivery 'round' of checking in on people, whether they are elderly, vulnerable, single parents, people who have lost their jobs or people just struggling and to have the extra surprise gift of a meal or 2 for 4 weeks has been such a blessing. Some people have literally been tearful on the doorstep.”