Foodbank welcomes Be the Change support

A charity helping a growing number of people in Middlesbrough access foodbank support is receiving a Be the Change donation from Teesside University.

Staff across the University can donate the spare pennies from their monthly salaries to Be the Change, to help provide grants to local organisations which are nominated by contributors.

Donations of £500 are now being made to the latest Be the Change recipients Middlesbrough Foodbank, Darlington Baptist Church community grocery store, and Autism Parents Together.

Tracey Godfrey- Harrison, project manager at Middlesbrough Foodbank, said: “I’ve been involved in the foodbank in Middlesbrough for around four years and we’ve seen a steady increase each year in the amount of people accessing help.

“During my first year here, we saw 8,342 people access the service, compared to over 15,000 people over the past year. Last week alone we fed 200 people.”

Families and individuals accessing the foodbank come through referral. Along with food items, items such as laundry sheets, toiletries and pet food can also be provided.

Tracey added: “We really welcome this donation, which will go straight back into our running costs.

“We receive generous donations from supermarkets, along with items donated by their own customers. Charities supporting people living in hygiene poverty also help with donations of toiletries. Donations of seasonal items are also greatly welcomed, such as Easter eggs and selection boxes around Christmas time.

“We also signpost people to a range of support through the Salvation Army and other agencies, including mental health support, drug and alcohol advice, and debt management.

“We have an amazing volunteer team, and the support we receive too from the general public is really generous.” Middlesbrough Foodbank was nominated for support through Be the Change by Rex Elston, during his former community engagement role at Teesside University.

Rex said: “I nominated Middlesbrough Food Bank for Be the Change as I’d seen first-hand the essential support it provides to individuals and families facing food insecurity in the community. Their consistent efforts deliver nutritious meals and a helping hand to those in need and make a significant, positive impact on an issue that’s close to my heart.”

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