Feeding Our City fund launched in Wolverhampton to support food banks

Leaders have called on residents and organisations to donate what they can to help raise a total of £20,000 for the "vital" services in the city.

It comes as part of the next stage of the One City Fund – which saw more than £24,000 raised to ensure no-one is "left behind" amid coronavirus.

Wolverhampton Council leader Ian Brookfield said: "I’d like to thank everyone who donated to the first One City Fund last week – it smashed the target within 24 hours.

"Now we’re urging the city to get behind ‘Feeding Our City’ and support our food banks.

"In the last five weeks, demand at our city’s food banks has increased drastically.

"Supporting this appeal is a simple way of getting behind the city’s efforts to help vulnerable residents during the pandemic so that no-one gets left behind.

"All ward councillors, irrespective of political interests, are 100 per cent behind this fundraiser. Local food banks do amazing work, and this is a cause very close to everyone’s heart. It has never been more important to help them stop hunger in our city.

"These organisations are a critical lifeline for many. They do so much more than provide food, supporting people with other issues deal with the crises they are facing and helping them stave off poverty and despair."

Councillors from Labour and Conservatives have come together to pledge a total of £10,000 from their ward funds – used to support projects in their area – to the cash pot.

Councillor Wendy Thompson, leader of the opposition on the council, said: "This is a great partnership and really worthwhile cause, benefitting city families.

"The Conservative Group on the council was unanimous in wanting to offer ward funds support to help those who need it most. I’d encourage residents and businesses who are able to make a contribution to get behind this initiative, get involved and make a difference."

Once £20,000 is raised, 60 per cent of the funds will be handed to food banks – with 40 per cent given to grassroots organisations who are handing out supplies.

Caroline Price, project leader at The Well, said: "We are so grateful for the support we receive from the city community.

"In April we supported 26.9 per cent more individuals compared to the previous 12 months and the highest number ever.

"Every donation made will enable us to continue to help those in most need across Wolverhampton."

The crowd-funding project comes as part of a collaboration between Wolverhampton Council, Wolverhampton Voluntary Sector Council (WVCS) and several organisations across the city.

Ian Darch, chief executive of WVCS, said: "A number of brilliant voluntary organisations and community groups are playing a crucial role in feeding some of the most vulnerable people in our communities.

"We need to unite behind them and support them to be able to continue this essential work, which is particularly important and challenging during the current crisis."

People wishing to donate can visit www.spacehive.com/onecityfund2.

Organisations wishing to apply for funding grants can email Saffi Price on sprice@wolverhamptonvsc.org.uk