HIWCF is delighted to announce a new partnership with Co-op, which will support local charities, community groups and voluntary organisations to tackle food poverty, to help vulnerable people in local communities during these challenging times.
Funds have been raised thanks to customer purchases from the Co-op picnic range, with Co-op generously donating over £35,000 to support communities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (including Portsmouth and Southampton) impacted by the Covid-19 crisis.
The funding will enable the provision of emergency food and will address the impact of food insecurity for those in need. Grants are available for community projects that can provide access to nutritious food and balanced meals, redistribute surplus food, help educate on shopping smartly to make low cost meals, limit food waste and prioritise the wellbeing of children and young people impacted by food poverty.
Grants of £1,000 to £5,000 are now available through the HIWCF website: www.hiwcf.com/funds/co-op-covid-19/ – please apply before midday on Friday 13th November 2020.
Grant Cornwell MBE, HIWCF Chief Executive commented “We would like to thank Co-op for their generosity and support in setting up this new grants programme to help vulnerable people in our communities. Local charitable groups across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are working so hard to address the issues caused by food poverty, made much worse by the coronavirus pandemic, and sadly the sector is facing a severe loss in income which may jeopardise their future at this crucial time. This new grant programme comes at an invaluable time and we urge local groups based in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight to apply for funding, to make a difference to the lives of individuals and families experiencing really tough times in our communities.”
HIWCF was established in 2002, and over the last five years has awarded over £5 million in grants to the smaller community and voluntary groups working at grassroots level to help disadvantaged and vulnerable people. HIWCF has an in-depth understanding of need in the local area and is extremely well placed to distribute funds to the local charitable sector. The Foundation has raised over £2.4m since the pandemic began, to help those affected by the Coronavirus pandemic.
The funding is part of the Co-op’s sustainable food poverty programme, and the new Co-op Food Fund is making £1.5 million available through the National Emergencies Trust to United Kingdom Community Foundations (UKCF) to support people across the country impacted by food poverty.
Press Release Notes to Editor
Contact details for Editor:
Name: Grant Cornwell MBE, Chief Executive, HIWCF, grant.cornwell@hiwcf.com
Lucy Sweet, Marketing Manager, HIWCF, lucy@hiwcf.com
About HIWCF
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Community Foundation (HIWCF) is an independent charitable trust established to inspire local giving for local need. The Community Foundation works both with donors who want to give something back to their local communities and voluntary groups providing vital services for local people where often a few hundred pounds can make a real difference to their lives. Companies, individuals, families and trusts can establish a fund with the Foundation, which supports a growing programme of grant-making to communities. HIWCF is part of a national network of 46 Community Foundations, one of the fastest growing philanthropic movements in the UK. Local groups can take a look at the HIWCF website to see if they might qualify for a grant: www.hiwcf.com or email HIWCF at grantsadmin@hiwcf.com
HIWCF is a Registered Charity No: 1100417. Registered Company Number 4534462.
UKCF
United Kingdom Community Foundations (UKCF) is a national network of 46 accredited Community Foundations across the UK. Its members bring communities together, fund great ideas and inspire local philanthropy. Its network has collectively given out over £1 billion in grants to charities, community groups and individuals. Community Foundations are part of a national network recognised by government for their local knowledge and experience in grant-giving.
Facts on Food Poverty
- The Department of Health defines food poverty, also referred to as food insecurity, as the inability to afford, or have access to food to make up a healthy diet.
- Last year, the government announced that it would start measuring food insecurity through its Family Resources Survey and that data would be available from 2021.
- Earlier this year, a YouGov poll commissioned by the Food Foundation suggested that 2.4 million (17%) children are living in food-insecure households.
- Poor nutrition is acknowledged to be a factor in children’s performance at school and pupils whose parents receive certain benefits are eligible for Free School Meals.
- In England, around 1.3 million children claimed Free School Meals in 2019 – about 15% of state-educated pupils.
- Between April 2019 and March 2020, Trussell Trust food banks provided a record 1.9 million food supplies to people in crisis, an 18% increase on the previous year.
