A voluntary service providing emergency food parcels to thousands of local people in crisis received a festive cash hand-out from Durham City’s Freemen.
Operated by Durham Christian Partnership, from its central warehouse on the Drum Industrial Estate in Chester-le-Street, the County Durham Foodbank is linked to 28 distribution points across the county.
The warehouse was last year responsible for putting together emergency food parcels for more than 11,000 people, nearly 4,000 of them children.
But, against the background of rising inflation and soaring food prices, the charity admits demand for its help has risen by approximately a third in the last year.
Read more: Food bank use in County Durham revealed in new study
Glen Jones, chairman of the foodbank’s board of trustees, said: “Food donations are down this year as everyone is feeling the pinch.
“The money from the freemen and other donors allows us to buy in and top-up essentials to fill the gaps,” added Mr Jones.
Eric Bulmer, chairman of the freemen’s charitable trust, said: “A great many vulnerable people are facing a challenging winter and our aim is to offer some comfort to as many as possible.
“Food is a fundamental need and the warehouse and the outlets they supply continue to do sterling work.”
Mr Bulmer said the trust has also committed a further £1,000 to be shared equally by two other important local charities.
One is a Salvation Army sanctuary for those sleeping rough in Durham and the other a village primary school supporting vulnerable families.
The Salvation Army offers practical solutions to homeless men and women facing winter weather on the streets.
Contact through Sanctuary 21, the church’s haven in Saddler Street, offers a welcome place of safety.
Read more: Where are the foodbanks in County Durham, Darlington and Teesside
Mr Bulmer said: “Its warmth, hot drinks and food, available three times a week, serves to cultivate a platform of trust.”
Church leader Darryn Hook said: “Depending on changing circumstances we see between five and ten rough sleepers a week, some of them with complexities in their lives which can cause barriers.
“We have been very busy lately and the freemen’s gift allows us to offer some immediate solutions by providing a sleeping bag, backpack and range of warm clothing.
“We also work closely with the local authority’s rough sleeping team who can, through face-to-face conversations, address possible housing solutions. Additionally, if the individuals agree, we can put them in touch with drug and alcohol workers,” added Mr Hook.
The donation to the 200-pupil Silver Tree Primary School, in Ushaw Moor, near Durham, ensures the continuation of a two-year-old “life-line”.
Backed by local community funding, it delivers direct help to families with youngsters who are identified by the school, a local community group, churches and community workers in the village and surrounding area.
Each Friday it sees up to 20 parcels of fresh and long-life food, enough to last through a weekend, handed to parents in crisis, who can also receive help to buy uniforms, winter coats and shoes.
Silver Tree’s hardship fund can also offer additional help for any child facing further special needs.
Read next:
67,000 food parcels claimed by North East families in 2022 period
North East foodbanks say people are 'crying' in queues
Labour party to hold urgent foodbank collection event in Durham
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Head teacher Natalie Maughan said: “The freemen’s backing for our school since the scheme was launched in March 2020 guarantees this vital life-line which will continue to deliver during the coming winter.”
While the foodbank, the Salvation Army and the primary school are the first three charities to benefit from the freemen’s gifts, the trustees have also committed to handing a further £5,000 to nine more local organisations during the coming two months.
“This is a time of year for giving and we are trying to reach as many people as possible across the widest range of age and ability,” added Mr Bulmer.
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