Crystal Palace reopens kitchen for people in need

Crystal Palace Football Club and Palace for Life Foundation has announced the reopening of The Palace Kitchen from December 2020.

The project aims to provide healthy and nutritious food to thousands of local people in need.

The club chefs will reportedly prepare around 350 meals a day, four days a week, throughout December with a “commitment” to create more than 5,000 meals before Christmas.

Crystal Palace said it will work with Croydon Council to identify “vulnerable individuals” and families in the greatest need of support, including those in emergency housing, the elderly, families and homeless people.

Steve Parish, club chairman for Crystal Palace, said: “As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and in the run up to Christmas, we are committed to making life a little easier for as many people as possible.

“This is a cause close to our hearts, having previously partnered with our local food bank as well as the homeless charity Crisis in recent years. With more than 16,500 Palace Kitchen meals delivered during the first lockdown we are aiming to deliver meals to as many people as we can between now and the new year.”

The club said it has committed to covering costs in December, including purchasing fresh ingredients, staff, costs of preparing the nutritious meals, safe packaging and labelling.

The meals will then be distributed by partners City Harvest and Croydon Voluntary Action, with charity City Harvest reportedly covering the costs of distribution.

Stephen Winningham, vice chairman for City Harvest London, added: “City Harvest is proud to partner again with Crystal Palace in ensuring that individuals and families in need receive nutritious free meals this December.

“Crystal Palace supports its nearby communities brilliantly through creating these meals, and we’re pleased to assist by rushing the meals to local charities that serve them.”