Issued by City of York Council
A second foodbank is being set up to help fight poverty in York with support from City of York Council. A grant allocated by Your Consortium from the York Community Fund has already helped set up a foodbank in Acomb by Gateway Action, together with money and housing advice sessions, and now, the council is supporting another foodbank which is being set up at Tang Hall Community Centre.
The Gateway Centre was awarded £15,000 between August 2012 and March 2013 towards fitting out a food store, staff training and running the foodbank. Also, drop-in sessions to advise residents on a range of issues including benefits and housing have been set up to run in tandem and, when applicable, advisers have been able to refer people to the foodbank.
City of York Council is also providing specialist support for a brand new foodbank in Tang Hall, which is due to open in July, managed by York Community Church. The support has provided training for staff at both foodbanks to be able to issue vouchers to people identified as needing immediate support.
It has also helped provide facilities for confidential meetings at the Tang Hall Community Hall, where a partnership of community and professional organisations has established the Tang Hall Community Advice Hub for residents.
Since the opening of the foodbank, 485 vouchers have been issued which have helped feed 1003 using over five tonnes of food donated by residents and businesses.
Councillor Linsay Cunningham-Cross, City of York Council’s Cabinet Member for Crime and Stronger Communities said: “It is a tragedy that so many people in are country are facing genuine hardship at this time. At a local level we recognise that people need real help now and that is why I am proud that City of York Council is helping fund foodbanks in the city, working in partnership with voluntary groups and experts to tackle the effects of poverty wherever it arises.
“We need to remember that the majority of families in poverty in this country have at least one person in paid employment. We have a moral and social duty to eradicate poverty and inequality, especially in these hardened economic times.
“Demand for support at the York Foodbank has been greater than expected – sadly this shows the depth of the problem locally and the need which needs to be met.
“Whilst the council is pleased to be able to contribute by helping fund this support to residents alongside advice services to signpost people towards longer-term solutions to their needs, we should not forget to say a massive thank you to the volunteers who are giving their time and expertise to serve others.”
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