3 minute read

Group distributes £4,500 in food vouchers

from Darlington Monthly July 2020

from Darlington Monthly July 2020, page 14

Cleveland Bridge supports food...

Food for Thought Darlington distributes food vouchers worth £4,500

When the COVID-19 crisis broke out, many of us found ourselves having to readjust previously-arranged plans. So did the volunteer-led group Food for Thought Darlington - which, no longer able to hold its usual cooking classes, has shifted to purchasing and supplying food vouchers for over 100 local households.

Food for Thought was originally established by Darlington residents concerned that too much good food was being wasted while fellow citizens were going hungry and struggling to make ends meet. In this generous spirit, the group usually teaches classes on how to cook food using leftovers from supermarkets.

However, this work was interrupted by the pandemic, leaving the group with an events budget which it has since reallocated to food vouchers for its current recipient base. Food for Thought has spent about £4,500 on these vouchers, which have since been distributed to more than 100 households in Darlington.

Before this shift in focus, the group had investigated other potential ways of supporting its members. However, many of these people have especially struggled to access school vouchers which the Government had introduced to help alleviate difficulties faced by families.

Food for Thought founder Louise Graham observed: “A lot of people have really taken a hit in terms of working hours and pay, and some have lost their jobs.

“So we made the decision to go to town and support people who need it. The feedback has been amazing but now we’re focusing on putting together essential care boxes with toiletries, washing-up liquid, laundry powder and other items. Every little bit helps.”

One beneficiary of the organisation’s voucher distribution drive, Sue Barton, has described Food for Thought as “amazing”. She added: “Being a single parent on a limited income means furlough has hit us hard. Without the vouchers and support from Food for Thought, things would have been even worse.

“I can’t thank them enough for the help and support they have given us as a family during this pandemic and at other times of need.”

The group is still calling out for donations, both physical and financial, for the care boxes set to provide monthly support to in-need households who would otherwise have made use of Food for Thought’s cooking classes. Those, however, will be back up and running at the earliest safest opportunity.

Redistribution of donated goods, particularly bikes, has also been channelled through Food for Thought.

“People started donating bikes and we have a volunteer who knows how to clean them up, so we’re giving them to those in need who maybe just got a new job and have no way of getting across town, or who would benefit from a mental health perspective,” Ms Graham explains.

To get involved with Food for Thought’s work or make a donation, you can email the group through fftdarlo@gmail.com.

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