VIDEO: ‘Save Salford Foodbank’ appeal gets much-needed cash boost

A foodbank at risk of closure due to a funding shortage has received a much-needed financial boost from Salix Homes.

Our staff raised £1,197.95 for Salford Foodbank following a series of fundraising initiatives including a raffle and a dress down day.

Earlier this month Salford Foodbank, which runs four foodbanks across the city, launched the ‘Save Salford Foodbank’ emergency appeal following an unexpected funding shortfall.

The funding shortage combined with a 25 per cent increase in demand for the service has left a question mark over its future.

Foodbank manager Mark Whittington warned that two of its foodbanks in Swinton and Eccles may be forced to close unless additional funding was sought soon.

Mark said: “We are so grateful for the money raised by Salix Homes. We are currently struggling with a lack of funding, so this money will be used to ensure that we can continue to support many local people that are in crisis situations in our community.

“We would really appreciate if others could stand with us at this time by donating financially so that we don’t have to make difficult decisions on cutting our service. We want to reach a future where our help isn’t needed, but while there are people in Salford without enough money for food we want to ensure emergency support is available.”

In 2018, the foodbank gave out 5,000 emergency food parcels, but already this year there’s been a 25% increase in people being referred to the service.

Lee Sugden, chief executive at Salix Homes, said: “Salford Foodbank is a lifeline for many individuals and families living in our communities, and here at Salix Homes we have been proud to support it over the years.

“The foodbank is there to support people in their hour of need, but now it’s the foodbank’s hour of need, and I hope our latest donation will go some way towards helping them continue the essential work they do to help people living in poverty in Salford.”

Salix Homes staff also collected a mountain of Easter eggs for the foodbank to give out to local children this Easter.

Salford Foodbank operates four foodbanks, supported by its team of 60 volunteers, at Mocha Parade in Lower Broughton, The Sanctuary, off South Langworthy Road, Connect Church in Eccles and at Swinton Salvation Army.

A public appeal to raise £10,000 to keep the foodbanks open has reached more than £3,000 so far. To donate go to their LocalGiving page.

Watch our video about Salford Foodbank…