Food banks in Plymouth are set to benefit from a boost in funding.
Earlier this year, the Council was awarded some government money from the Emergency Food Grant, to help food banks and charities that support people to access food.
Now, £140,000 has been allocated to 21 local community and voluntary organisations including Food Plymouth, who will help to co-ordinate food supply in the city.
In total, £75,000 has been awarded to Food Plymouth and a range of food aid charities, who will work in partnership with Fare Share and the Plymouth Food Aid Network to facilitate co-ordination of all the foodbanks and other community food aid organisations to work collectively to reach everyone in need. In addition, £27,000 has been awarded to Grow, Share, Cook, a volunteer-based project in Plymouth that addresses food poverty, healthy eating and building social connections.
In the event of future lockdowns, this partnership would be able to respond and provide food to those who were referred by the City Council and partners as part of Caring for Plymouth.
Councillor Chris Penberthy, Cabinet member for Housing and Cooperative Development, said: “In these difficult times, when people are losing their jobs or incomes, we wanted to make sure that no-one should go hungry.
“We also wanted to support the excellent umbrella organisation Food Plymouth, who will ensure that surplus supermarket food makes its way in to Plymouth food banks as well as co-ordinating a citywide approach to food aid.
“This co-operative approach with all of the relevant organisations and charities is crucial to tackling deep rooted issues of food poverty in the city.”
Ian Smith from Food Plymouth said “The work of the City’s food aid providers is impressive and humbling. The collaboration and co-operation between them is already remarkable.
“This very welcome additional resourcing through the City Council is helping to take this work to the next level through the Plymouth Food Aid Network, enabling the providers and their suppliers to have even more collective impact to everyone’s benefit. Food Plymouth is proud to be supporting this worthwhile and very necessary initiative.”
Over £35,000 of funding has also gone to Citizens Advice Plymouth to make sure that everybody who finds themselves in a difficult financial position is able to access advice on debt and benefits, and what your rights are if you lose employment.
Emma Handley, Chief Officer of Citizens Advice Plymouth said: “We welcome this opportunity to further our work in delivering advice to anyone who lives, works and studies in Plymouth who may be struggling during the winter months.
“We are proud of our continued work with and support from Plymouth City Council and recognise the collective approach to helping people across our city through the distribution of the Emergency Food Grant.
“Coronavirus has made life hard for many people. Citizens Advice Plymouth is here to help and we give, free, up to date advice to anyone. If you need help with benefits, work, debt and money, housing, employment or more please get in touch.”
Anyone who has had a change in circumstance and needs financial advice should call Citizens Advice Plymouth on 0300 3309 043, Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm and Friday, 9am to 4.30pm. Alternatively, use the secure Facebook Messenger chat service at www.m.me/citizensadviceplymouth, Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm.