Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited, the home of Hotpoint, Indesit, Whirlpool and KitchenAid brands, has donated appliances to a food bank in Wales to support the vital work done by its staff and volunteers.
The food bank at Seion Chapel, which is located in Llandysul, West Wales, was established in 2018 to ensure that disadvantaged individuals and families living in the area have access to food. According to organisers at the food bank, demand for food parcels increased by 150 per cent throughout May, June and July 2020 compared to the previous year, highlighting the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on the livelihood of people living in the area.
In November 2020, the food bank underwent a transformation as part of the television series Prosiect Pum Mil (Five Thousand Pound Project), produced by Boom Cymru. Each episode of the series sees the renovation of a different community project with a maximum budget of £5,000. The episode aired on Welsh language channel S4C on 22nd December 2020, and featured staff, along with a team of volunteers, working against the clock to transform the food bank into a modernised and vibrant space.
Prior to appearing on the programme, a lack of resources, food preparation space and the absence of a working kitchen meant that staff were unable to prepare hot meals on site. After the installation of a brand new kitchen, staff at the food bank intend to prepare hot meals, as well as hold cooking demonstrations. In addition, plenty of storage space was created, while a common room, complete with a children’s play area, provides a place for members of the community to socialise.
To support the renovation of the kitchen within the food bank at Seion Chapel, Whirlpool UK donated a fridge freezer, cooker hood and freestanding microwave oven. Among the appliances donated was the Hotpoint Class 7 Total No Frost fridge freezer (H7T 911T MX H). The fridge freezer was donated to provide a suitable place to store fresh ingredients used for feeding those who otherwise would not have access to food.
As well as providing the ultimate freshness for food and maximising organisation, the fridge freezer boasts a series of innovations, which make up Day 1 technology, to give fresh food a longer life. The Fresh Zone+ compartment makes storing fresh fruit and vegetables truly effortless, while the Fresh Zone 0ºC compartment maintains a temperature of around 0°C, making it perfect for storing delicate food items such as fresh meat and fish.
A further appliance that was donated by Whirlpool UK was the Hotpoint Supreme Chef multifunction microwave oven (MWH 338 SX). Utilising forced air, a large grill and Dual crisp technology to enhance the cooking experience, the microwave oven guarantees cooking results that are rich in taste and flavour, while benefitting from an unrivalled level of functionality. The donation of this microwave oven will allow staff and volunteers at the food bank to effortlessly prepare nutritious, hot meals for members of the community.
Ian Moverley, Public Affairs Director, Whirlpool UK Appliances Limited says: “The Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical role that community initiatives play in supporting those in need across the country. In light of this, we are delighted to have been able to support the food bank at Seion Chapel. We hope that the donations from Whirlpool UK will support and strengthen the vital work done by the staff and volunteers at the food bank, as well as allowing them to expand the operation and continue to reach more people in need.”
