Council praised over food poverty action during Covid pandemic
East Riding of Yorkshire Council has been recognised for its dedication in supporting the development of the East Riding Food Poverty Alliance and the actions to tackle a rise in food poverty in the area during the coronavirus pandemic.
Tuesday, 27th April 2021, 11:00 am
The ERFPA recently presented the leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Cllr Richard Burton, with a certificate of recognition. Photo submitted
The East Riding Food Poverty Alliance (ERFPA) – a partnership of food banks and pantries – was set up in June 2020, after food banks witnessed an increase in residents requiring food vouchers since the start of the pandemic.
The Two Ridings Community Foundation chief executive Jan Garrill.
Supported by the East Riding of Council’s Future Communities Initiative and funded by REW, the project will support the voluntary and community sector (VCS) across the area.
The scheme will ensure the sector will have good governance and succession planning in place in order to ensure they are aware of and compliant with legislative requirements, are able to plan effectively, increase their long-term sustainability and become more resilient.
A spokesman said: “ERVAS has a long history of partnership working to meet the needs of the community across the area and has delivered training and development work since its inception and is respected and trusted within the sector.
Covid: Food bank stockpiling for no-deal Brexit and end of furlough
Published
image copyrightSpires Foodbank
image captionSpires Foodbank in Sheffield saw the number of users rocket by more than 1,000% during the first lockdown
A food bank is stockpiling food in anticipation of a surge in demand caused by the furlough scheme ending and a potential no-deal Brexit.
Before the first national lockdown in March, Spires Foodbank in Sheffield served about 30 people a week.
Now it has 250 weekly users and manager Andru Keel says they are bringing in more storage units to cope with demand for tinned and dried goods.
The government said it had provided money to support food aid charities.