Manchester charity Eat Well MCR has launched its Eat Well, Do Good Month, bringing together cafés, bars and restaurants across the city to raise money to provide chef-made meals to those facing food insecurity across the region.
Running from 1–31 October, the campaign features special dishes, one-off events, cocktail collaborations, donation points and more — all to give people simple ways to contribute while eating and drinking well.
It also includes a city-wide raffle offering 35 prizes, including meals at local restaurants, gig tickets, wellness treats and interiors gifts, with all proceeds funding meals for people in need.
The programme begins on Thursday 9 October at Renae in the Northern Quarter, where some of Manchester’s most respected DJs and selectors will come together for a one-night fundraiser. StandbyWez, Helen K and Veba will open with a back-to-back set, before Metrodome and Chunky take over the final two hours. Every ticket sold funds five meals for Eat Well MCR.
On Sunday 12 October, Track Brewery will host ‘Schnitzel Sunday’. Chef Holly Sumner, known as Holly Pickles, will be serving schnitzel and pickles from midday until sell-out, with a percentage of sales donated to Eat Well.
Wednesday 22 October brings a rare evening of Brazilian wine and cheese to Sampa Art Gallery in Ancoats. Chef Martins will pair Brazilian cheeses with specially selected wines, soundtracked by live Bossa nova.
The following Sunday, 26 October, Dishoom will dedicate its breakfast service to Eat Well MCR. From 9am to 11:45am, 10% of all sales will go directly to the charity. Diners can enjoy favourites such as the famous bacon naan roll and bottomless chai, knowing their meal also helps to fund meals for those in need.
The month closes on Monday 27 October at Manchester Museum with a dinner led by chef Sam Buckley of Where The Light Gets In, created in collaboration with Greater Manchester Youth Network. You can grab tickets here…
The menu will showcase the results of workshops run with care-experienced young people and unaccompanied asylum seekers, who explored skills from bread-making and pickling to growing and butchery before co-creating the final dishes.
Eat Well MCR operates without relying on grants, instead depending on public generosity and hospitality partnerships. Every £2 raised provides a full, chef-prepared meal. Funds raised this October will also support creative food workshops in collaboration with Where the Light Gets In, engaging young people in growing, cooking and sharing food.
“We hope this month gives people many joyful, tasty ways to take part,” the organisers said.
Full details of the events – plus other participating venues – can be found here…
Eat Well MCR was founded in April 2020 by chef Mary-Ellen McTague alongside Kathleen O’Connor and Gemma Saunders.
Initially created as an emergency response to the pandemic, it began by cooking and delivering meals to NHS workers and vulnerable people across Greater Manchester.
Since then, the collective has grown into a network of chefs, restaurants and volunteers who have delivered more than 130,000 meals. Their work continues today with the same focus on food, community and care that shaped the charity from the beginning.
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