Charity champions
Michelle Cooper
Foundation taking lead as Premier League star drags food poverty into spotlight
East Durham Trust
Lowhills Community Allotment
In the past year , County Durham Community Foundation has funded over 60 projects that tackle food poverty . More than £ 260,000 was awarded and transformed into food , food parcels and hot meals that fed a remarkable 92,000 people .
Michelle Cooper , chief executive of County Durham Community Foundation , said : “ It ’ s pretty staggering how many people need help – and there ’ s a deeper story behind every statistic .
“ These local projects provide crucial support – and they rely on funding from us that is possible because local businesses and individuals want to donate and work with us . “ Marcus Rashford has brought this issue kicking and screaming into the spotlight and encouraged us all to think about how we can make an impact .”
Three years ago the Foundation signed up to the global goals of the United Nations – with Zero Hunger and No Poverty at the top of the list .
With the rise in local need for food banks , and the impact of the pandemic , the Foundation has become a key regional funder in the fight to end hunger .
Michelle said : “ No one does well on an empty stomach , and we can ’ t expect our children to thrive at school , or anywhere else , if they ’ re hungry .
“ I don ’ t think many families think of
Direct Steps themselves as ‘ living in poverty .’ “ Instead , they feel the pain of having nothing for tea again or having to choose between a winter coat for their child and the rent .
“ But the fact is that one in three children in this region are classed as living in poverty , and we need to bring a lot of resources , ideas and guts to end that situation .
“ I would urge businesses and individuals who want to make a difference to get in touch with the Foundation . And I would like to thank the numerous projects that not only give people food , but that get to the root of the problem and do something about it . “ When we tackle poverty , we tackle hunger , and that ’ s what ’ s going to make a difference long term .”
Just one of the projects the Foundation has funded is Lowhills Community Allotment , which , by the end of the year , is on target
to grow 1,000 bags of vegetables for its local food bank .
Carrots , potatoes , beans and tomatoes are delivered each week to East Durham Trust , which uses the homegrown produce to supplement dried goods and tins for families on the breadline .
Peter Atchinson , Billy Robinson , Albert Cully , and Billy and Pat Robson took over the community allotment seven years ago , and this summer a community grant of £ 2,800 from County Durham Community Foundation helped upgrade facilities . Peter said : “ No one should go hungry . “ We ’ ve been out delivering the food parcels and it ’ s not always the houses you would think .
“ Everyone says thank you . They are glad to see you .”
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