Local community treated to community meal served up by fire staff

Local residents of Hanley were treated to a free community meal cooked and served by Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service at YMCA North Staffordshire.

Rob Barber, Chief Fire Officer, Glynn Luznyj, Deputy Chief Fire Officer, Jim Bywater, Area Manager and members of the catering team at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service were on hand to provide free warm meals to the community at a Community Meal Lunch on Friday (7 October).

The service has a long-standing partnership with local organisations, including YMCA North Staffordshire, to provide free community meals during the winter.

The event was also an opportunity for local residents to engage with fire staff to discuss any issues and concerns around fire safety in their area.

Glynn Luznyj, Deputy Chief Fire Officer at Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “It was a brilliant event with over 100 community members attending the Community Meal Lunch.

“The lunchtime event was a great opportunity for community members to meet and engage with fire staff, meet other members who live and work in Hanley, and enjoy a free lunch.

“Serving local communities and keeping them safe is a core focus for the Fire Service.”

Yvonne Dyer, Director at YMCA North Staffordshire, said: “We’re grateful for the Fire Service to have given up their time to be at the lunchtime event.

“Without local organisations, including Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, getting involved we would not be able to hold our Community Meal Lunches.

“The last time the Fire Service visited us they proved to be a hit with young people and community members and that was the case again on Friday (7 October).

“The food was brilliant and it was great to see the community engage with fire staff in attendance at the lunch.”