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This week we're highlighting another of our member organisations, the Lighthouse Project, who have been awarded a grant from our Rochdale Communities Fund Food Solutions Grants and are using this to deliver food support to the community in Middleton.
It's a difficult task trying to sum up all of the amazing work delivered by the Lighthouse Project, but the funding they received from the Food Solutions Grants is allowing them to continue the provision of much needed support to alleviate food poverty for many families in their community.
At the Lighthouse Project food support is provided through the Lighthouse Pantry, a membership based food club, and Middleton Central Foodbank a Trussell Trust Foodbank for those experiencing food crisis needing emergency support. Both of these projects support families and individuals in different ways.
Access to the Foodbank is via a referral process, which ensures residents can access other avenues of support eg, money advice through one of their referral partners, alongside any food support given.
The Lighthouse Pantry is a membership based food club, established in 2018, to help local families and individuals reduce their weekly food costs, and keep more money in their household to cover other bills or needs. During the first 6 months of 2023 its membership grew by more than 30% as the cost-of-living-crisis continued to tighten its grip on local families and the success of the project has meant there is now a waiting list for new applications.
Development Manager, Carl Roach, told us what the Food Solutions Grant has meant to the Lighthouse Project;
"The cost-of-living crisis has impacted us through reductions in donations and increases in demand for help. This year’s grant will make such a difference for us, especially during the winter time when we see demand for food support rise in both the Foodbank, and Pantry.
With the grant we will be buying essential family food items, and staples such as eggs, bread, and fruit, to top up our food parcels/baskets.
Our food projects support people at different stages, whether this is helping them at a time of crisis, or making sure that they can keep their heads above water in the face of the ongoing cost-of-living pressures."
You can learn more about our Rochdale Communities Fund Food Solutions Grants, and the projects that have benefitted from the latest round of funding here: www.actiontogether.org.uk/rochdale-communities-fund-food-solutions-grants
Food Support Signposting in Rochdale Borough
Rochdale's Food Solution Network are working hard to ensure food security exists so all people, at all times, have physical access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food.
In partnership with current food providers, Rochdale Council and Action Together have developed this signposting resource that will help groups, individuals and families get access to food in the borough.
Should you need any further information and support around food, please contact: development@actiontogether.org.uk