£200,000 support for Redbridge food banks

Redbridge Council is delivering on its commitment to support the most vulnerable residents by allocating funding to the tune of £200,000 to local food banks across the borough.

The funding is being made available through the Household Support Fund, a £2million fund that Redbridge Council has set-up to support local families and individuals most in need of extra support this winter. 

This announcement follows the council's recent pledge to ensure that all Redbridge families who receive support through the free school meals programme continued to receive their support throughout the Christmas holiday period. Last year, Redbridge Council pledged to ensure that families will continue to receive food vouchers during all school holidays between now and the end of March 2022.  

The Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Jas Athwal, said: "The pandemic has hit many across the UK financially, with local people who were previously managing, now struggling to pay their bills. The spiralling cost of living crisis and soaring energy costs are further compounding the challenge for our most financially vulnerable residents. 

 "That’s why Redbridge Council has stepped up to help those most in need by granting £200,000 to local voluntary and community organisations to support local people struggling to make ends meet with food and other essential items this winter."

James Tullett, Chief Executive of Refugee & Migrant Forum of Essex and London, said: "We are grateful for the support from the council as the demand on food banks has never been greater. Since the start of the pandemic, we have supported countless people for essential food items, relying totally on the goodwill and charity of residents and local partners."