Food bank set up in Bury following public vote

A Tenant and Resident Association (TRA) in Bury is providing food and other support after winning £1,000 from Bury Council following a public vote.

TRA volunteers at Chesham Fold Community Centre wanted to help those in their neighbourhood who were struggling to make ends meet. They were advised by Six Town Housing, the arm’s-length company which manages the homes on behalf of the council, to present their case for cash help to The Pitch, where local groups ask the public to fund their preferred projects.

The TRA succeeded in July, which has enabled them to run a foodbank in partnership with the charity Caritas, who provide their own team of volunteers to open up the bank and source food donations.

The food bank is now offering food parcels to some of the most vulnerable people in Chesham at the Community Centre every Thursday from 10am to 11.30am.

Two local children – Oliver and Angel-Lee Heaps – played a crucial role in the successful bid for funding. They participated in a short sketch within the three-minute allocated slot at The Pitch, and were naturally elated when Chesham Fold TRA won.

Councillor Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council, said: “Our Pitch events have proved hugely popular, giving local groups an opportunity to showcase the superb ideas they have to improve their own communities, and giving the public a chance to vote for the projects they most want.

“There can hardly be anything more important than providing food to people in financial hardship, and my congratulations go to Chesham TRA for their hard work in bringing this project to fruition.”

Sister Joan O’Gorman from Caritas, who is co-ordinating the service in Chesham, said: "Our Caritas volunteers look forward to welcoming the people of Chesham. The food bank is open every Thursday from 10am to 11.30am, including Christmas week. On arrival there is the opportunity of tea or coffee and a chat – with any details we take being held in the strictest confidence - and we also have toys to occupy any young visitors."

The Chesham centre also runs a variety of services, from art to bereavement to women’s support groups, along with a dementia cafe.

• There are six upcoming Pitch events across the borough where residents can vote for their favourite organisations to win up to £1,000 in council funding. For details, go to https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/bury-council/pressreleases/use-your-vote-which-community-projects-should-get-funding-2241176

ENDS

Press release issued: 6 November 2017.

Picture: At the food bank on Chesham are (from left) Michael Hilton of Chesham Fold Tenants & Residents Association (TRA); Adam Greenhalgh (Six Town Housing); Cllr Rishi Shori, leader of Bury Council; Sister Joan O’Gorman (Caritas, Community Resource Centre Manager); Una McKinstry, Pauline Cleary, Mandy Walsh and Kath McFarlane (Caritas volunteers); Angel-Lee Heaps and Oliver Heaps, Chesham Young Volunteers.

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