Arriva Rail London, which operates the London Overground on behalf of Transport for London (TfL) has teamed up with Acton-based food charity City Harvest to provide 50,000 meals for vulnerable people in Acton and across London.
Acton Central station will have a collection point from 1 October 2024 until 31 October 2024 where residents and local businesses can make non-perishable food donations to support local charities including A.P.P.L.E (Acton Park Play & Leisure Events), Acton Homeless Concern, Centre for Armenian Information & Advice. East Acton Primary School, John Perryn Primary School and Samaritan Soup Kitchen.
Collection points at 17 other train stations on its network will also allow people to make food donations.
City Harvest collects surplus food from various suppliers including restaurants, grocers and manufacturers and then delivers it to community food programs including foodbanks to help people locally to combat food poverty with nutritious meals.
David Cranstoun, customer host at Arriva Rail London, said: “It’s a huge honour to be a part of this initiative and to see our partnership with City Harvest develop from a oneoff donation into an ongoing collaboration. Last year, our colleagues came together to support our local communities. This year, we’re committed to making an even bigger difference.”
Shivani Hill, head of environment, social value and governance at Arriva Rail London, added: “Our goal of providing 50,000 meals will offer critical support to families facing food insecurity this winter. The ARL team is committed to making this year’s campaign a success and looks forward to working with City Harvest and our local communities to make a lasting impact.”
Marco Torquati, head of community impact at City Harvest, said: “Community contributions from Arriva Rail London stations this harvest festival make a huge difference to City Harvest. As one in four Londoners face food poverty, and benefits are constantly being cut for the capital’s most vulnerable, extra support via free food is needed amongst our London community partners now more than ever.”
 has teamed up with Acton-based food charity City Harvest to provide 50,000 meals for vulnerable people in Acton and across London.){kind=link}