Funding boost for Bridgend County Borough foodbanks

Foodbanks in Bridgend County Borough are set to benefit from a funding boost of almost £23,000 to help fight food poverty and stop local residents from going hungry.

The funding is being administrated by Bridgend County Borough Council and has been provided by Welsh Government as part of their ongoing Household Support Fund initiative.

With a total of £22,907 allocated towards Bridgend County Borough, the guidance from Welsh Government notes that the number of people facing food poverty across Wales is increasing, and states that the funding is intended to support community food initiatives which are experiencing difficulties meeting the needs of local people.

Part of a nationwide network which relies on donations of food and other household items, the foodbank is operated by The Trussell Trust, which works to combat poverty and hunger across the UK, and is supported by organisations such as Bridgend County Borough Council.

Operating out of several local venues, it helps people who have been referred by professionals ranging from doctors, health visitors and social workers to police and the Bridgend Citizens Advice service, and provides them with enough nutritionally-balanced food to cover three days at a time as well as access to expert advice and support.

We are all experiencing the impact of the cost of living crisis, but some families and individuals in Bridgend County Borough are feeling it more so than others.

The situation has not been made easier by recent national and international events, and it is proving to be increasingly difficult and expensive to source some items. This funding is intended to support community food organisations by helping them to purchase additional supplies of good quality food and essential goods, and to boost their capacity to meet the needs of local people.

I hope, of course, that some day soon, the need to rely on community foodbanks as a means of keeping people fed will become a thing of the past, and an episode in modern history that will be looked back at with the shock and dismay that it deserves. Until then, this funding will go some way towards helping to keep local residents safe and well, and I am grateful to Welsh Government for this investment into the foodbank service.

Councillor Rhys Goode, Cabinet Member for Wellbeing and Future Generations

Announcing that Welsh Government would be making funding available for food banks in November last year, Minister for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: “I have decided to provide over £1.1m to support and bolster foodbanks, community food partnerships and community hubs, supporting them to tackle food poverty, address food insecurity and provide a wider range of services to help individuals and families maximise their income.

“We know that people across Wales are facing unprecedented challenges, that’s why we’re committed to doing everything we can to relieve financial pressures and help households with their living costs – supporting families, businesses and communities through these unprecedented times.”

To find out more or to access their help and support, visit www.bridgend.foodbank.org.uk or contact their hotline on 01656 762800 – please note that the hotline is facilitated on behalf of the foodbank by Bridgend Citizens Advice.