Ziam's Soul Provider

Liam Payne has helped provide 360, 000 meals to people struggling as a result of the coronavirus outbreak

Black Country boy Payne has joined forces with national charity the Trussell Trust to support food banks in the Midlands and other key cities as they expect to see an increased need as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.

This support will help over 100 food bank centres in Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Coventry, Sheffield, Nottingham and Bristol continue to provide their essential community service for people in crisis.

It’s expected that these food banks will provide over 360,000 meals to people in crisis over the next three months, as the pandemic unfolds

Wolverhampton lad Liam’s donation is the beginning of a long term relationship with The Trussell Trust which will see him use his platform to continue to reach new audiences and raise awareness.

Over the next three months, food banks that could benefit from Liam’s support are expected to provide over 120,000 meals to people in crisis.

This new fund will help over 100 food bank centres to react to the changing needs of their community as the pandemic unfolds; recruiting additional staff, hiring delivery vehicles or extra space, or, if necessary and available, buying food. Ultimately, helping these food banks continue to provide their essential community service for people in crisis.

Liam said: “It’s not right that anyone in our country is unable to afford food. Food banks do incredible work to help the people most in need of support. It’s vital that we get support to those people right now, as this crisis unfolds. The Trussell Trust is working with food banks across the country to ensure emergency help is there for people who don’t have money for the basics.

“But I’m also donating because of the work they do to work towards a future where no one needs a food bank – we can’t end the conversation with getting emergency food to people – as vital as that is. When we’re out the other side of this, we need to look at why there are people in our country who don’t have enough money for food. I want to play my part in finding a solution to ensure people have enough money to buy their own food - and end the need for food banks.”

Emma Revie, chief executive of the Trussell Trust said: “We are so grateful to Liam for this generous donation.

“This will help us continue to support our network of food banks to provide the best possible emergency help to people referred at an uncertain time.

"We’re working with food banks across the country to make big changes to the way food banks work, so we can get emergency food to people in the safest way possible. This isn’t easy.

"Our main priority is the safety of everyone at a food bank, and having support like this helps us ensure that emergency support can continue to be available in the safest possible way.

"But ultimately, no one should need to use a food bank.