Over £55,000 has been raised by Bath-based charity 3SG and local MP Wera Hobhouse to prevent holiday hunger.
In order to distribute these funds rapidly and effectively, 3SG worked with St John’s Foundation to identify community-led food projects serving communities of high-need across Bath and North East Somerset. This funding will build the capacity of an emerging network of affordable food pantries, as well as supporting the infrastructure around the distribution of surplus food to charitable projects across the area.
FareShare South West, Mercy In Action, Oasis Hub, Weston & Newbridge Food Club, Southside Family Project and FOOD Clubs are some of the organisations that will benefit from increased funding to support their work providing more affordable food to families and young people in Banes.
“I’ve been involved in fundraising for 15 years and never seen such a rapid public response to an appeal,” said James Carlin, Director of 3SG. “3SG is an independent charity that supports community activity and we are pleased to have been able to direct this money to where it’s needed most. Holiday hunger is not an issue that will be solved overnight which is why this much needed funding has been directed to projects making a long term impact on providing more affordable food to families and young people in B&NES.”
A spokesperson for St John’s Foundation added, “As funders of a number of initiatives tackling the long-term drivers of food insecurity in B&NES, we are delighted to have been invited to support 3SG to distribute these much-needed funds. We would like to say a heartfelt thank you to the public for their generosity and to all of the organisations who are working so hard to ensure that local families have access to nutritious food all year round. We are delighted that the importance of their work is being recognised and strongly supported.”
“It’s a testament to the caring nature of our communities that the are so many quality local organisations who are working to tackle food poverty,” said Wera Hobhouse. “I am pleased that the money that we raised is being delivered to these groups so rapidly, and that food will be available where needed. I would like to thank everyone who has been involved in the B&NES Holiday Hunger Appeal, and to every single person who so generously donated. Let’s keep looking after one another through this difficult period.”