Foodbanks struggling with coronavirus pressures to receive £200k

Foodbanks across Greater Manchester will share £200,000 to help replenish their stocks amid growing demand caused by coronavirus.

Voluntary organisations, community groups and social enterprises (VCSE) from across the region have been delivering thousands of food parcels every day to vulnerable people and those self-isolating.

But with many foodbanks reporting shortages of key supplies, and other support services over stretched, regional leaders and charity Forever Manchester have made more funding available to mitigate cash flow issues.

Each of the 10 metropolitan boroughs will receive £20,000, with the combined authority working alongside VCSE partners to identify those in need.

Greater Manchester’s deputy mayor Beverley Hughes said: “I’ve made this funding available to help our most vulnerable in Greater Manchester access the most basic of necessities: food.

“It’s right that leaders across the city-region identify gaps where support is needed and I’ve heard how our foodbanks are struggling with cash flow at a time when demand is high. 

“I hope this funding will provide some respite to the local VCSE sector and I will be looking at what more we can do to provide food supplies to those who need it.”

Both Ms Hughes and Andy Burnham, mayor for Greater Manchester have also called for the government to provide urgent funding for the nearly 16,000 VCSE groups in the region.

The sector employs around 42,500 people and has a turnover of £1.3 billion but, like foodbanks, many are reporting increased pressures on mental health, housing and financial support services.

The combined authority is backing the #EveryDayCounts campaign, which is seeking emergency funding for frontline charities and volunteers responding to the pandemic, as well as a ‘stabilisation’ fund to help them stay afloat financially.

Mr Burnham said: “The VCSE sector are an integral partner in the Greater Manchester response to the COVID-19 crisis in supporting our most vulnerable communities. 

“At the same time, they are struggling financially as they try and support the humanitarian effort, cope with increased demand and reorganise their ways of working – all while their usual sources of public fundraising are cut off due to social distancing rules.

“We’ve committed to doing our bit to help and proactively providing funding where possible. But we also need the government to provide a funding package for the survival of VCSE organisations now – just like they’ve done with the private and public sectors.”

To donate to Forever Manchester, please visit: 

• forevermanchester.com/thisistheplace

Niall Griffiths, Local Democracy Reporting Service