Foundation funding for food bank
A foodbank is continuing to work with the community to tackle the root causes of food insecurity after securing funding from Worthing Borough Council.
The Worthing Food Foundation was awarded £30,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Neighbourhood Fund to support its community outreach work.
The food bank was set up during the pandemic and has been supplying food to people in need from its base at East Worthing Baptist Church, in Pendine Avenue, since April, 2020.
The money will help foundation’s only paid employee, outreach worker Jacquie Beardon, engage with food-bank users to reduce long-term reliance.
Jacquie’s role sees her work with food-bank users who need additional support with physical and mental health conditions, or addiction issues, as well as advising them about available help.
She said: “Most people don’t want to keep using food banks, so we try to have a look together at why they are in the situation they have found themselves in, and to find solutions. I see my role as a lot of hand-holding and helping to empower people to have more control over their lives.”
The food bank is also keen to work with families to ensure children get access to healthy food and dental care.
One recent project saw Jacquie contact parents to check if they knew about provisions such as Healthy Start vouchers, help with school uniforms or free school meals.
The foundation is also using part of the CIL money to fund a food bank in the community project with a nearby children’s centre.
Worthing Borough Council deputy leader Carl Walker said: “The continued cost of living crisis means that more people than ever are struggling to afford enough food to eat and fewer people are able to spare enough to donate, which is causing food banks to be stretched to the limit.
“We’re really pleased to see that the money from the CIL Neighbourhood Fund is being used to bring food banks into spaces that people feel safe and comfortable and that the vital work that Jacquie does in the community can continue.”
Find out more at www.worthingfoodfoundation.org.uk