Anti-poverty campaign raises over £1 Million to help fight hunger in the UK

In Q4 2020, Crowdfunder.co.uk launched a national anti-poverty campaign to support food bank projects and community charities across the UK, to help support the #14millionPeople in the UK struggling against poverty.

Cornerstone national charities involved include FareShare, the Trussell Trust and Oasis, who share a common goal of working to alleviate hunger and build a future where everyone in the UK has access to good nutritious food. In total over 80 food related projects have joined the campaign so far, including foodbanks and charities from every corner of the country. These include projects based in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, Londonderry in Northern Ireland, Pembrokeshire in Wales, down to Bridgwater in Somerset and Hastings in the east of England. There are also multiple projects in London that the public can choose to support.

Incredible compassion and generosity has been seen from the public throughout the pandemic, as illustrated by the combined total raised so far of over £1 million by more than 11,500 supporters. The campaign has also received support from Marcus Rashford who donated two signed pairs of his special edition football boots to help raise further funds in the fight against hunger. Furthermore, the campaign has been supported by a high-profile Out-of-Home advertising campaign with JCDecaux UK across the country. 

With children being home schooled again in Lockdown 3.0, parents are being faced with impossible options, such as whether to keep the house warm, or to eat! Some are making heart-breaking sacrifices to skip their own meals so their children can eat instead. This is unacceptable.

Duncan Parker, Charity and Philanthropy Director, Crowdfunder UK, commented:

“We are delighted that this campaign has now raised over £1 million to help the 14 million people struggling to afford to eat. It’s truly heart-breaking to think of parents in the UK sacrificing their own need to eat, so that their children can eat instead. Please help us to level up the playing field so that everyone in the UK has access to enough good nutritious food to feed their whole family.”

Lindsay Boswell, FareShare Chief Executive said:

“In 2020, FareShare faced the unprecedented challenge of coronavirus head on, the likes of which our network of charities have never experienced before. To date the Covid-19 crisis has increased hardship for millions of people – including many who had never before been considered vulnerable. As we battle through the third national lockdown, our staff and volunteers continue to work under challenging circumstances to get vital food supplies out to communities. Demand remains high and right now, it’s vital we continue to pull together and do everything we can to support vulnerable people facing hunger across the UK.” 

Emma Revie, Chief Executive of the Trussell Trust commented:

“During the first six months of the pandemic, food banks in our network provided 1.2m food parcels to people in crisis, including 2,300 food parcels for children every day! This is not right. But we know if we come together to push for change, we can build a hunger free future. Right now, there’s a real opportunity to end the need for food banks – and there’s a part for all of us to play. By showing your support, you’ll be helping us to support food banks to provide vital emergency help, and to work in the long-term towards a future where everyone has enough money for essentials. Thank you.”

Dave Parr, CEO, Oasis, stated:

“Oasis UK’s community hubs around the country have experienced huge demand for food support since the Covid emergency began. Working with Crowdfunder enabled us to deliver more than 5,000 food hampers over the Christmas holiday period. Ultimately, we are campaigning for a society where everyone has access to the food they need and has choice and independence as they do so.”

Food banks are facing heightened pressure. As the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic continues to unfold, there has been a significant increase in need for food banks across the country, building on what was already a record level of need. 

Charities across the UK are doing amazing work to help get emergency food to people in communities across the UK, but they can’t do it without you. Please find and support food charities in your area here. 

Alternatively, if you are running a food bank, work for a charity that supports people facing hunger and destitution in the UK or are running a project with a shared goal, please create a project page and join the Crowdfunder campaign to help support the #14millionPeople in crisis in the UK this Winter.