National Grid is donating £1,000 to the Wath Community Foodbank. Jeremy Nesbitt, Managing Director of National Grid Affordable Warmth Solutions – an organisation set up by National Grid to tackle fuel poverty – and Mr Healey, MP for Wentworth and Dearne, will be presenting the donation to the food bank on Friday (27 November).
Mr Nesbitt said: “National Grid Affordable Warmth Solutions is dedicated to making homes warmer and keeping fuel bills down for the most vulnerable people in our communities. We are delighted to be able to support the fantastic work of the Wath Community Foodbank in helping those most in need at this difficult time of year.”
Based in Montgomery Hall, the Wath Community Foodbank has been running for a year in partnership with Fareshare Yorkshire and Rotherham’s Food in Crisis. Run by a team of dedicated volunteers, it provides food for people facing short-term financial hardship.
Speaking on behalf of the food bank, Reverend Sue Hobley, Vicar of All Saints Parish Church, said: “We are very grateful for the generous donation from National Grid through our MP John Healey, which will help us to sustain and develop our Wath Community Foodbank.
“The donation will enable us to pay the rent and refurbish our storage space with new shelving. We expect demand for help from the food bank will increase in the coming months so this funding is very welcome. We have a team of committed and able volunteers but we are always looking for more people to get involved!”
Mr Healey, a former chairman of Affordable Warmth Solutions, is a long-term supporter of the food bank and nominated the charity for the donation. He said: “In our area and around the country we’re seeing many more families forced to rely on food banks. The Wath Community Foodbank is playing a vital role in helping those facing hardship in our community at the time when they need it most. I’d like to thank National Grid for supporting this fantastic organisation and helping them to continue their much-needed work.”
The cash was raised at the recent National Energy Action conference on fuel poverty, held in South Yorkshire. National Grid, which was co-sponsoring the event, pledged to donate £5 to charity for every good idea generated to tackle fuel poverty.
Notes to editors - archive
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