Arriva Rail London (ARL), which operates the London Overground on behalf of Transport for London (TfL), is teaming up with City Harvest to help deliver 50,000 meals to those in need across the capital.

City Harvest diverts quality food that would otherwise go to waste and redistributes it to those facing food poverty across London, helping businesses to support their local communities and become more sustainable.

The partnership stems from the efforts of ARL customer host, David Cranstoun, and customer experience strategy delivery manager, Pauline Lawler, who nominated City Harvest in 2023 to receive a one-off donation from the company’s charity scheme. David and Pauline then worked with colleagues to set up a food collection point at Acton central station and arranged volunteering for employees at the charity’s warehouse.

Colleagues across ARL provided the equivalent of 2,799 meals through food collections and monetary donations. The hours volunteered by the ARL team also equated to 12.5 tonnes of food rescued, 29,680 meals delivered to charities and 31 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions prevented.

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 one-off 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.”

This year’s initiative aims to make an even greater impact by delivering an extra 50,000 meals to Londoners facing food poverty. Food donations go directly to City Harvest’s community partners, which will help vulnerable people through a difficult winter.

From Tuesday 1 to Thursday 31 October, ARL colleagues will host food collection points at 17 London Overground stations:

• Acton Central
• Barking Riverside
• Camden Road
• Carpenders Park
• Dalston Kingsland
• Enfield Town
• Hackney Downs
• Hackney Wick
• Highams Park
• Honor Oak Park
• Kensington Olympia
• Kilburn High Road
• Norwood Junction
• Shoreditch High Street
• South Tottenham
• Sydenham
• West Croydon

ARL will also host a collection point for employees at its head office in Southwark.

Local businesses and the public are invited to donate non-perishable food items to collection points. Donations will be distributed by City Harvest to over 375 charities and community organisations across London, providing around 123,000 meals worth of food per week, and vital support to families, shelters and food banks.

Shivani Hill, head of environment, social value and governance at Arriva Rail London, said: “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.”