Food aid charities in the Midlands have received more than £636,000 in government funding to help those struggling to get food as a result of the coronavirus crisis.
Thirteen 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 almost £100,000 for large organisations.
Since the 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.
Food Minister Victoria Prentis said:
“Food charities across the Midlands are dealing with myriad challenges presented by the coronavirus – including a significant increase in demand and often having to adapt to different ways of working.
“We are seeing some great solutions from these organisations, such as home delivery services and social supermarkets.
“All of these charities are doing an excellent job at getting essential supplies to those in their communities who are vulnerable, which is why it is so important they have this extra support to help those most in need.”
Hope Nottingham received a grant of £75,000. The Christian charity works with local churches and community groups to serve those in need across the city, whether directly with food parcels or through foodbanks.
The Active Wellbeing Society, based in Birmingham, was awarded £96,750. At the start of the pandemic it refocused its work into four key areas, including food distribution, and coordinated a citywide community response under the banner #BrumTogether with more than 80 local community partners. This has included food parcels, as well as a hot meal delivery.
Feeding Coventry is one of the Feeding Britain group’s 12 pilot areas and opened Coventry’s first ‘Social Supermarket’ days before lockdown. It was awarded almost £44,000.
Nigel Adams, Director of Hope Nottingham, said:
“The Defra funding is making a massive difference, helping foodbanks across greater Nottingham to ensure that no one needs to go hungry during this difficult time.
“The funding has also been a catalyst, enabling many different foodbanks, churches and other groups to work in partnership for the benefit of the region.”
Hope Nottingham is a Christian charity, working with local churches and community groups to serve those in need in neighbourhoods all around Nottingham.
Hope House in Beeston has become a one-stop community support centre, working in partnership with many local agencies, to provide a place of trust and transformation for local people.
Hope Nottingham also supports many neighbourhood Foodbanks across the city, helping people out of crisis and directing people to life-changing support. Some of these centres are beginning to develop using the same model as Hope House to meet the physical, material and spiritual needs of local communities.
In addition, Hope Nottingham enables networking across Churches, supporting them in shared mission to bring the love of God to the city and beyond.
Phone on 0303 040 1110 or Contact here.
