Food aid charity in Lancaster handed £30k in government funding to help those struggling during Covid-19 crisis

Eggcup is a surplus food redistribution centre in the Lancaster City Council district, which led a consortium of community food groups that were awarded 30,000.

Twelve charities in the region have benefited from money from Defra’s Food Charities Grant Fund, with grants ranging from £30,000 for small charities to £110,000 for large organisations.

Since the government’s Food Charities Grant Fund was launched in May, 65 charities across England have been awarded more than £3.5m, providing millions of meals to those in need.

The grants are designed to provide immediate support to charities helping to feed those suffering from the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak, including the elderly, those who have left home due to domestic abuse, or those who are struggling financially.

The Food Charities Grant Fund was part of a wider £16m funding pot, announced in May, which has seen millions of meals provided to thousands of front line charities, with a wider programme delivered by FareShare and WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme).

Eggcup is a surplus food redistribution centre in the Lancaster City Council district, which led a consortium of community food groups that were awarded £30,000.

It has used the money to buy food, with volunteers and permanent staff members providing additional food to people experiencing hardship during the coronavirus pandemic.

David France, project manager at Eggcup, said: "The Defra crisis funding has provided an essential short-term boost at a time when the supply of surplus food has been erratic.

“Using the funding, we have been able to get a good and balanced range of food to people at the height of the crisis."

Food Minister Victoria Prentis said: “Charities across the north west are doing an amazing job of getting food supplies to the most vulnerable in our society.

“We know that these organisations are seeing a significant increase in demand, and some have had to scale up their operations so that they can help as many as possible in their communities.

“That is why we’re committed to giving them the extra support they need at this time.”