News
Additional £49,000 Funding for Foodbanks across Kent
Fourteen Foodbanks across the county received a most welcome festive donation to help with the increased demand for their services.
The Wards Charitable Fund, which is administered by Kent Community Foundation, has donated £49,000 to fourteen foodbanks across the county.
The foodbanks each received £3,500 the week before Christmas to provide food for those struggling to feed their families. This donation is part of a pledge from Wards Estate Agents that for every new property Wards value in Kent, £100 will be donated via Kent Community Foundation to local foodbanks.
Josephine McCartney, Chief Executive, Kent Community Foundation said, “There’s no doubt that we are in the midst of a crisis with continuing rising costs putting extreme pressure on the most disadvantaged. This winter will be tough for many in Kent and it will leave a great number of people struggling to make ends meet and keep their family warm, fed and well.
“We were pleased to distribute the first award, totalling £49,000, on behalf of Wards to fourteen foodbanks to help ease the increasing demand from families and we are delighted that there will be ongoing support from them for foodbanks throughout the year.”
The foodbanks that received the funding are Bright City Church Foodbank, Canterbury Food Bank, Whitstable Umbrella Community Support Centre, Deal Area Foodbank, Folkestone Rainbow Centre, Children & Families (Family Foodbank), Fareshare Kent CIC, Gravesham Foodbank, Medway Foodbank, The Community Cupboard, Faversham Food Bank, Margate Independent Foodbank, Thanet Foodlink Ltd and Nourish Community Foodbank.
Aldo Sotgiu, Group Managing Director said, “The ability to give back to our community and support those who need it most is a huge part of who we are and the values we represent. Right now, so many people are struggling, and we have always been focused on helping people in the best way.”
Heather Weitzel, Thanet Foodlink Ltd who received £3,500 before Christmas said, “We are currently spending about £1000 a week on food and this donation from the Wards Charitable Fund is hugely appreciated. We also want to say thank you to Kent Community Foundation for the work you do in distributing funds. Your help has supported us to give out over 1000 bags of food each month, for the last four months.”