“When a pallet stacked high with porridge, coffee, tea, tinned tuna and other vital supplies arrived, we were overjoyed. Demand is up by 51% compared with the same period last year. The Rotary support couldn’t have come at a better time.”
Paul Laffey, Burton On Trent YMCA Foodbank
Rotary4foodbanks is a response to the growing demands on foodbanks for emergency food as people lose their jobs or face reduced incomes. Initially operating in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire, it is attracting interest across the UK. It was launched in response to the COVID crisis, but is a long-term initiative to deliver a sustainable, cost-effective food sourcing programme for foodbanks.
The scheme uses economies of scale and Rotary’s reputation to buy food and other necessities at wholesale prices. A network of Rotary clubs, logistics companies and foodbank organisations work together to distribute goods. Manufacturers and distributors supply and/or donate food to a single source that they are confident will ensure it reaches the intended beneficiaries.
Funding of £100,000 from a Disaster Response Grant, District Grants and contributions from 25 clubs got the scheme underway. It is run entirely by Rotary volunteers supported by companies and individuals who donate their time and expertise, but more sponsors are required. A crowd funding initiative is in preparation and national and local government funding is being sought.
The first three months of operation saw over £100,000 of food distributed to those in need in the East Midlands and Yorkshire.