A community hub in Carlisle will run cookery lessons for people struggling with the cost of living.
The Lookout, in Shady Grove Road, Raffles, has taken delivery of six air fryers and six slow cookers thanks to support from the Cumberland Building Society.
Gemma McManus, joint manager at The Lookout, said: “We’re starting an activity where people can learn how to cook.
“It’s about building the skills and confidence so people can cook for themselves and learn how to use up odds and scraps so there’s no food waste.
“It’s also an opportunity to talk to people who might be in difficulty and signpost them to other help if they need it.”
The Cumberland is donating £500,000 over two years to its Kinder Kind of Kitchen initiative, in partnership with FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria & FareShare Glasgow and the West of Scotland, to tackle food poverty through community foodbanks and hubs.
The Lookout receives food weekly from FareShare to distribute to people who struggle to afford to feed themselves.
The cookery courses will complement this by helping people make nourishing meals at home rather than buying expensive ready meals or takeaways.
The courses will run for six to eight weeks. As an incentive, those who attend regularly will be able to keep an item of equipment.
Gemma added: “We’re grateful to the Cumberland Building Society because we wouldn’t be able to start this initiative without their help.”
The money for the equipment came from a pot raised at the society’s annual general meeting in July. The Cumberland pledged £2 for every vote cast at the AGM bringing in £15,252, which was earmarked for equipment for food groups.
Thirty-three groups across Cumbria and Lancashire benefited, receiving more than 300 items including 75 air fryers, 53 slow cookers, five catering-size urns, three bread makers, two cookers, two freezers and one undercounter fridge as well as microwaves, toasters, kettles, a panini maker and a smoothie maker.
They included Oasis Pantry, in Carlisle, which was given a smoothie maker and three catering urns, while Calderwood House homeless hostel in Egremont and Shap Primary School each received a new bread maker.
Claire Deekes, chief customer officer at The Cumberland, said: “Our purpose is to create a banking experience that is kinder to people and the planet and that includes looking out for the communities we serve.
“Our charitable giving is kinder banking in action. It’s gratifying to hear from the food groups that we’re having a real impact.”
Naomi Winter, community food member co-ordinator at Recycling Lives Charity which runs FareShare Lancashire and Cumbria, said: “Every item supplied will help our members to feed and support people in need. Some will be using their new equipment to provide additional or alternative meals or drinks, others will use it to run classes or offer training opportunities. We’re so grateful to The Cumberland for their support.”
