A North Staffordshire charity has paid tribute to the important role played by businesses in support of its vital work.
Over the course of the last year, Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank supported more than 24,000 people with emergency food – up 30% on the 12 months before.
The charity has a central office and warehouse in Blurton, Stoke-on-Trent, and a network of distribution centres across the city and wider area in order to be as effective in the local community as possible.
But it says without the help of businesses and other organisations it would have not been able to cope with the increased need for emergency food over the last few months.
Corrine Boden MBE, Director of Services, said: “We couldn’t have done this without the help of businesses; enabling us to complete this huge task – giving time, food and money to support the local community.
“Usually, we have business teams take up volunteer days at our warehouse during our busiest donation time, October to December, but this year we needed additional help up until March.
“Business teams have helped our long-term volunteers to get a huge increase in food volume through our warehouse, prepared, ready to go out to our 16 church-based, volunteer-crewed distribution centre sessions.
“During the Pandemic a Deloitte Business Survey reported that 75% of employees wanted to take action to help others in need, but with such challenging times for all it has been fantastic to see this come to fruition.”
In addition, during the last year, levels of food donations were maintained, despite this costing more, from businesses and the public, looking to support others.
Caroline Wolfe, Business and Community Development Coordinator, said: “At Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank we are so grateful for this timely giving.
“However, unfortunately, sustained food donations have not kept pace with the rise in need, which has made us ever more appreciative of financial donations from businesses looking to help make a real difference and support their local community through our work.”
Essential to maintaining the charity’s services are the two vans used for the transport of food donations, including from supermarket donation points and 16 distribution centres.
With rising prices including petrol, Stoke-on-Trent Foodbank received a timely offer from Broad Oak who have sponsored the running of the two vans for the busy last quarter.
Steve Lauri, Commercial Director at Broad Oak, said: “We are dedicated to best support people in need of energy cost savings and were pleased to have this opportunity during the cost-of-living crisis to support this vital lifeline.”
For more on opportunities for businesses to get involved contact: [email protected] or click here.
