publish ,
07
November
2014
|
11:09
Europe/London

Extra funding for Redbridge residents facing crisis

Redbridge Foodbank has received a grant of £58,200 from the City of London Corporation’s charity, City Bridge Trust.

The food bank currently supports over 1,000 residents each year who are facing financial crisis. Recent figures revealed that around 35,000 Londoners are using food banks; a situation exasperated by the economic downturn.

The grant will support the charity’s target to distribute 3,000 food parcels and recruit 30 new community volunteers to deliver these services. In addition to providing emergency food to families in need, Redbridge Foodbank also offers advice and support to encourage greater social inclusion and help people out of long-term poverty. Local people are also matched with volunteering opportunities to progress their skills set and personal development.

As demand for food banks grows, the City Bridge Trust funding will enable Redbridge Foodbank to help more people in crisis-addressing food poverty and signposting residents to services around ill health, unemployment, and substance abuse.

Jocelyn Davis, Project Manager of Redbridge Foodbank, said: “We started Redbridge Foodbank back in 2010 to address growing need within our local community. At that time we had statistics but no real idea how prevalent and devastating ‘hidden hunger’ was throughout our London borough and even the UK.

“We are thankful for the 170 plus partnerships formed with local care professionals who work alongside us and help identify individuals and families in crisis. We are encouraged and often amazed at the support from the local community – time given by volunteers, individuals, family groups, schools, churches, community groups and organisations. We are exceptionally grateful to City Bridge Trust for believing in and supporting our project – giving us the financial means to continue serving our neighbours in crisis.”

Jeremy Mayhew, Chairman of City Bridge Trust, said: “While the economy is starting to recover, thousands of families across London are still deeply impacted by the effects of unemployment and the rising cost of living. Food banks are a vital resource in tackling poverty and ensuring people who are living on the breadline have emergency access to healthy meals. Our funding will enable Redbridge Foodbank to plan and reach more residents in desperate circumstances, supporting them to lead more independent lives.”

Notes to editors:

Media enquiries-Rachel Mortell, Media Officer, City of London Corporation

T 020 332 1528

T 0207 332 3451

E rachel.mortell@cityoflondon.gov.uk

About the City of London CorporationThe City of London Corporation, headed by the Lord Mayor, provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles: (1) To support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events, research-driven policies all reflecting a long-term approach. See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details. (2) to support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills projects. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charity City Bridge Trust aims to address disadvantage across Greater London through quality grant-making and related activities. It makes grants of more than £15 million annually to charitable projects in London. The Corporation also supports education with three independent schools, three City Academies, a primary school and the world-renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama. (3) To look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important ‘commons’ in south London. And – with its heart in London’s Square Mile - we also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events, research-driven policies and a long-term approach. See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for much more on our uniquely diverse role, including the City of London Police, etc.