Lib Dems help MK Food Bank break Guinness World Record for longest line of food cans

On Monday 16 October, Liberal Democrat councillors and members showed their support for MK Food Bank by taking part in MK Can.

Between them, the councillors collected more than 500 cans which were lined up to form part of the 10km long line in Campbell Park.

Together the Lib Dems stacked, counted, and packed hundreds of tins of pasta, fruit, and soup to form part of the world record breaking 102,447 cans.

Earlier this year, MK Food Bank revealed that 1 in 25 households across the city cannot afford to buy enough food, and every week around 50 more people are contacting them for the very first time.

Sadly, the spiralling cost-of-living crisis, and rising food costs have meant that donations to the charity have decreased.

Earlier this year, the charity revealed that they were only receiving two thirds of what was needed to meet rising demand across the city.

Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequalities and Child Poverty, Councillor Jane Carr, said:

“Sadly, people across the city are struggling to afford the basics all whilst the Government is sitting back and watching people struggle. Last year, the City Council spent millions of pounds mitigating the devastating impact the cost-of-living crisis was having on Milton Keynes. This included an extra £80,000 for MK Food Bank to help with top-up shops and increase the number of food parcels, but we can’t do it all. The Government must do more to provide additional relief for struggling households across the city.”

The cans collected by the Lib Dems will help the Food Bank continue to support residents throughout the winter into the spring.

Liberal Democrat Leader on Milton Keynes City Council, Councillor Robin Bradburn added:

“I’d like to thank the councillors, members, and residents for all their donations, thankfully, this will keep the Food Bank going throughout the winter. We are always delighted to support the Food Bank, but it’s sad that our incompetent Conservative government means we need this to support the people of Milton Keynes.”

Councillor Paul Trendall, a keen supporter of MK Food Bank, who volunteers with them every Friday, concluded:

“Over the last year, I have seen first-hand the noticeable drop in donations the Food Bank receives, so it is crucial we are doing everything we can to help mitigate the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on the residents of Milton Keynes. Lib Dem councillors are community champions, working hard, listening to, and caring for the people across the city.”