A grand funding boost for food bank

A volunteer-led food bank has received a boost from a housebuilder.

Barratt Developments North East gives £1,000 each month to a community group or charity across the region.

As part of its Community Fund initiative, it recently donated this amount to Washington Community Food Project (WCFP).

Foundedin2012, WCFP provides emergency food services to those who meet the criteria for such support in the Washington and Springwell areas.

It is an independent charity that does not have paid staff.

Clive Bowman, WCFP chairman, said: “We are extremely grateful to Barratt Developments NorthEast for the support of its Community Fund initiative.

“As we rely heavily on the generosity of the local community, the £1,000 donation will make a huge difference to our food supply and allow us to provide emergency food parcels to those who need them most.”

Over the past five years, food bank usage in the UK has increased by 73%–with more than 80,000 people receiving support across the North East last year alone.

Emily Watson, sales manager for the nearby Teal Park Farm development, said :“The team at WCFP do an incredible job of providing emergency food parcels to all those who need it within the local area.

“We hope that our Community Fund donation will help to make a difference to the charity and the volunteers, who continue providing their much-valued support within the area.”

For more information about the food bank, or if you would like to make a donation, go to www.wcfp.org.uk