Local food banks receive £226k boost

42 food banks covering Lincolnshire and parts of Cambridgeshire, Nottinghamshire and Humberside are sharing an incredible £226,718, thanks to Lincolnshire Co-op’s Community Champions scheme, which brings together efforts of its members, customers and colleagues.

Newark Food Bank is one of the services the community has supported and is receiving £15,846 of vital funding.

Volunteer Malcolm Jowett said: "The cost-of-living pressure means that people are struggling to make donations, more people need our help, and our running costs are higher.

"This money will help us to continue to give valuable support to those who need it in our community; a big thank you to everyone who's contributed!"

From 8th March to 5th September, the Society donated each time a member shopped with their dividend card, colleagues organised fundraising events, and customers donated change in stores.

The retailer collects for food banks all year round, through donation bins in its food stores. However, ahead of school summer holidays, the co-op also hosted 12 food bank drives, and the equivalent of over 5,000 meals were donated at these events, with eight local businesses also making donations.

13 colleagues have also used their employer-funded volunteering hours to provide practical support to their local food bank or to help encourage donations.

Funeral colleagues in Sutton on Sea and Mablethorpe supported their local food bank by pooling their colleague volunteering hours to make home deliveries to its service users.

Funeral Director Lucy Hunter said: “This is more than just delivering food parcels; for many of the service users, we’re the only face they’ll see all week.

“Working with the food bank has been eye opening, and it’s a true privilege to be part of something that’s making local people’s lives better.”

The co-op recently held a celebration event, which bought together food bank volunteers, colleagues who have made significant contributions, and members of its Board of Directors.

Senior Community Co-ordinator, Mary Leggett, said: “Our local food banks provide invaluable support to some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, often when they have nowhere else to turn.

“Many people are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis, making these services more important than ever. With the current climate in mind, a donation of this size is truly remarkable, and demonstrates that community spirit remains alive and well. Thank you to every single person who’s contributed.”