Food aid charities in the North West have received more than £541,000 in government funding, to help those struggling to get food as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
Twelve charities in the region have benefited from money from Defra’s Food Charities Grant Fund, with grants ranging from £30,000 for small charities to £110,000 for large organisations.
Since the government’s Food Charities Grant Fund was launched in May, 65 charities across England have been awarded more than £3.5 million, providing millions of meals to those in need.
The grants are designed to provide immediate support to charities helping to feed those suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, including the elderly, those who have left home due to domestic abuse, or those who are struggling financially.
The Food Charities Grant Fund was part of a wider £16m funding pot, announced in May, which has seen millions of meals provided to thousands of front line charities, with a wider programme delivered by FareShare and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme).
Food Minister Victoria Prentis said:
“Charities across the North West are doing an amazing job of getting food supplies to the most vulnerable in our society.
“We know that these organisations are seeing a significant increase in demand, and some have had to scale up their operations so that they can help as many as possible in their communities.
“That is why we’re committed to giving them the extra support they need at this time.”
Manchester-based the Bread and Butter Thing has received a £110,000 grant. The charity, which has operated since April 2016, works with 33 hubs across Greater Manchester and Darlington but has centralised and upscaled its operation to support a network of partners across the North of England.
The Port Grocery Community Food Club, based out of Trinity Church in Ellesmere Port, was awarded almost £40,000 to support its work addressing food waste and food poverty in the community. Those signed up to the scheme pay £5 per week to receive fresh and frozen food worth around £16-20.
Eggcup is a surplus food redistribution centre in the Lancaster City Council district, which led a consortium of community food groups that were awarded £30,000. It has used the money to buy food, with volunteers and permanent staff members providing additional food to people experiencing hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mark Game, CEO at the Bread and Butter Thing, said:
"This donation comes at a critical time as we upscale to cope with a 460% increase in demand for our services.
“Since April, we've moved to a bigger warehouse, opened six new hubs and taken on new staff, volunteers and facilities, so we are grateful to Defra for its support of TBBT and our partners at this challenging time."
Mike Steenkamp, Director at The Port Grocery, said:
“The funding we have received from Defra has enabled us to buy in much needed food that we are distributing, by means of home deliveries, to members of our community in need.”
David France, Project Manager at Eggcup, said:
"The Defra crisis funding has provided an essential short-term boost at a time when the supply of surplus food has been erratic.
“Using the funding, we have been able to get a good and balanced range of food to people at the height of the crisis."
Other North West charities that have received funding include:
- Community and Business Partners (East Lancashire): £30,000
- The Tree of Life Centre, Wythenshawe: £30,000
- Westview Community Association (Lancashire): £30,000
- West Lancashire Crisis and Information Centre: £36,000
- Blackpool Food Bank: £72,468
- Carlisle and District Federation of Community Organisations: £30,000
- St James in the City (Merseyside): £39,200
- Calico Homes (Burnley): £64,285.71
Further guidance on how to access food and other essential supplies during the coronavirus pandemic is available on gov.uk.
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