More than 30 food banks in the Midlands have benefited to the tune of £41,000 to help them through coronavirus pandemic.
The cash has come from the District 1060 Food Bank Fund, which was set up by Bala Jaspal at the beginning of the pandemic last March when she was District Governor.
The project was taken on by current District Governor, Tim Bushell.
During Bala’s year as District Governor, Heart of England Rotary applied for a slice of the worldwide Rotary Foundation grant to support clubs in their efforts to counter COVID-19.
More than 30 food banks in the Midlands have benefited to the tune of £41,000 to help them through coronavirus pandemic.”
During Tim’s early weeks as District Governor, rules were laid down and applications arrived in early August, with the first batch of grants available to clubs to support their communities in September.
Last month, the remaining funds in the Foundation D1060 Food Bank Fund were allocated.
This means that District 1060 has made grants to 35 clubs in for food and hygiene products. Clubs have matched these grants benefitting more than 30 food banks by over £41,000.
“The majority of the grants were paid by late October,” explained Brian Phillips, who is on the District 1060 grants sub-committee.
“Since then, several clubs have increased their support to their local food bank, which the District has been able to match.
Meanwhile, Rotary’s support of the food hub and food bank in Shrewsbury will continue until next March.
“This project must rank one of the most successful in District 1060’s history, when it comes to helping people in need.”
Meanwhile, Rotary’s support of the food hub and food bank in Shrewsbury will continue until next March.
At that point Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club will review its £600 a month donation to the Shrewsbury Food Hub and Shrewsbury Foodbank, part of Barnabas Community Projects.
Rotarians have been supporting these valued community organisations since the pandemic lockdown began when they were unable to meet weekly for a meal.
It was agreed that the cost of members’ meals should provide food for individuals and families in need of support.
Rotarians have been supporting these valued community organisations since the pandemic lockdown began when they were unable to meet weekly for a meal.”
Since March, Shrewsbury Severn Rotary and its members have to date contributed more than £9,000, which has also included the Pontesbury and Minsterley Food Bank.
The club’s community and vocational chair, John Yeomans, said: “Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club is giving £300 a month to Shrewsbury Food Hub and £600 a month to Barnabas Food Bank.
“We have also been giving £100 to Pontesbury and Minsterley Food bank.
“The money we give is primarily funded by our personal donations to our meal monies which is supplemented with monies from the club’s charity account to make up the difference.”
Karen Williams, Foodbank PLUS Project Lead, praised the support of the Rotarians which was making a big difference in the Shropshire town.
She said: “We are so grateful for the ongoing support that the Shrewsbury Severn Rotarians give.
“Through their support we will be able to continue to provide a full bag of fresh vegetables and fruit for every family that uses the foodbank well into 2021.
“This provision complements the full non-perishable parcel people receive, but offers a dimension that many of us take for granted.
“The Rotarians have supported Shrewsbury Foodbank for some time and for this I am personally grateful.”
