AN innovative scheme that puts healthy food at the heart of communities has benefited from a charitable donation.
The £670 donation from a collaboration of companies based at the Westlakes Science & Technology Park will help the Food Pantry Project, based in Woodhouse, Whitehaven, continue to provide food to those in need for a further 12 months.
At its monthly drop-in events at St Peter’s Hall, the project distributes healthy food that would otherwise be wasted and is aimed at improving health and wellbeing. Running alongside the distribution as part of the project are exercise and community cooking clubs.
A festive event was held by the companies involved with the support of a host of local businesses who donated raffle prizes.
The event was coordinated by Jasmine Scaife, a Business Admin Apprentice at KAEFER, supported by Amelia Fearon, a Business Studies student at Lakes College, and Keelan Green, a UTC student on a T-Qual scheme at Morgan Sindall. Jasmine said: “Working in collaboration with other companies has been fantastic to build relationships and raise funds for such a worthy cause.”
Elizabeth Atkinson, KAEFER’s Social Impact Manager, added: “The fundraiser has been a great success, not only in the amount they have raised, but also in terms of experience for our apprentices and students working together .”
Julie Wedgwood, of Bottoms Up Solutions, is coordinating the pantry and associated activities. She said: “I am overwhelmed by the generosity and support. It provides a real lifeline for people who genuinely don’t know, from one day to the next, where their next meal is coming from.”
The Food Pantry Project was created with the support of a £10,000 donation from Copeland Borough Council. Mayor Mike Starkie said: “Projects like these are making a real difference to struggling families in our communities. Our social agenda – and support for projects like this – is the absolute priority for Copeland Council.
“I was pleased to re-visit the pantry today to see the positive difference it continues to have on people’s lives.”
The food pantry events take place on the last Friday of every month.