Food bank creates supportive space for those in crisis

From left: Anne Lewis, Cheryl Whitton and Andrew Lawrenson

The North Yorkshire charity combats hunger and poverty in the local community by providing three days’ worth of emergency food and support. It was keen to create a welcoming entrance at its new centre so that those in crisis can stay and get the help they need.

The donation means the food bank has been able to buy much-needed furniture to benefit people in need living in and around Selby. It now features a comfortable space where service users can spend time with each other and build valuable support networks.

Two laboratory technicians at our Sherburn site were inspired to help by the success of a recent food drive and staff fundraiser for the charity. Bethany Geary and Darran Arnell applied for support from our Building Better Communities fund after they saw the food bank was moving premises.

Lynn Hudson, part of the Sherburn site’s Building Better Communities committee, said: “The food bank decided to make a hub area in the new building – to go beyond food and also support with mental health. We're thrilled to bits to have been able to help them with that. We will continue our support of the Selby & District Foodbank, and we’re now looking at how we can help the other charities in the community that the food bank is linked to.”

Cheryl Whitton, project coordinator for Selby & District Foodbank, explained the impact of the donation on the local community: “We can now welcome people into the centre to share conversations, hot drinks, and snacks. This allows people to relax, open up, and chat about their needs. Signposting our clients for further support is something we are very passionate about.”

Would you like support for a charitable project near one of our sites? Find out more about our Building Better Communities programme.