A Stockport charity helping those from the area struggling to pay food bills has received a massive boost after receiving thousands of pounds from Joseph Holt pubs across the region.
The 173-year-old family Manchester-based brewery collected nearly £130,000 [£129,719.16] from big hearted customers as part of its annual charity appeal. This has now been distributed to six different charities devoted to helping people struggling to pay their food bills - including Stockport Foodbank.
Thanks to fundraising events organised by dedicated staff as well as donations collected across its 127 pubs, the iconic Manchester-based brewery, was able to donate nearly £22,000 to the charity which provides nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to them in crisis.
Other benefactors of the appeal include Lucie's pantry in Salford, Greater Manchester-based Mustard Tree, Atherton & Leigh Food Bank, Compassion Acts in Southport and Bury-based Porch Boxes.
Each charity has reported a massive growth in the number of people relying on food banks - not least because of the crippling rise in the cost of living.
"Around 45 per cent of people coming to our food banks are doing so for the first time," explains Nigel Tedford, general manager of Stockport Foodbanks. "Last year we handed out over 200,000 meals to the people of Stockport and, sadly, we going to see more and more in need. Meanwhile at this time of year - unlike, say Christmas or Easter - we can get a big drop in those making donations. So, the money from Joseph Holt will buy us much need security in the months ahead. It will make a massive difference to the food we can buy - including milk, orange juice, canned fish and fresh fruit and vegetables."
According to Richard Kershaw, chief executive of Joseph Holt and great-great grandson of the brewery's eponymous founder, the company chose North West food banks and clubs for its 2020/21 charity appeal in order to help people in the very heart of the communities where the pubs operate.
"As we all know, 2020 and 2021 were especially tough years for many people. And so, for the first time in our history, we decided to fundraise for six charities located in our heartlands across the North West. We had fantastic support from all our customers, employees and licensees who helped us fulfil our strong desire across the company to put something back into the local community.
Indeed, Joseph Holt is the only brewery to win the special 'Heart of the Community' award three times in a row. This is awarded by the British Beer & Pub Association for charity and community work.
The donations have certainly come at a critical time. Last year local charities and organisations warned that foodbank usage in the North West could "spiral out of control". Foodbank charity The Trussell Trust said in 2021 it gave out more food parcels within the North West than anywhere else in the UK.
A recent survey from the Independent Food Aid Network found that 93 per cent of independent food banks in the UK reported an increase or significant increase in services from the start of 2022. A further 80 per cent of organisations also reported that they have struggled with food supply issues in the past four months and 78 per cent noticed a drop in food and financial donations.
Added Nigel Tedford: "There has never been a greater need for our services. We have had to spend thousands of pounds on supplementing food stocks, putting a new van on the road and improving warehouse facilities. The money from Joseph Holt will make a huge difference."