A foodbank in Cumbria is using a £5,000 donation from the Asda Fight Hunger Create Change programme to provide food budgeting tips and recipe ideas to help people's money go further.
Adrian Cozens, who manages North Lakes Foodbank, says he's "deliriously happy" with Asda's support – part of our £20 million commitment over the next three years to support FareShare and The Trussell Trust.
He met up with our Workington store's community champion Kevin to show him early versions of the 'menus' at the foodbank's hub in Cockermouth, which provides emergency food and support to people across Cumbria.
He said: "We received the £5,000 funding two weeks ago, and we were deliriously happy to receive it – it's marvellous to have Asda's help. It will really help us educate people and allow them to make the money they do have go further.
"This funding means all of the Trussell Trust centres in Cumbria will be able to provide their guests with A4 'menu' cards in each box full of a list of ingredients they've received, menu ideas, cookery tips, food budgeting and debt management help too.
"Until now we've been providing a sheet of paper which probably ends up in the bin. But these will look great and we hope people will pin them up in their kitchen and keep referring to them.
"The aim of these cards is to help people get the most of the food they receive from us. It's similar to the TV show Eat Well For Less – showing people how they can save money when food shopping and use every ingredient they have.
"Our aim is that these menus will be easy for people of all ages to engage with as we provide emergency food to people of all ages.
"Also, we want to invite our guests in and deliver cookery demonstrations showing people how to produce meals and make the most of the ingredients we've given them, and this funding will help us organise those next year."
Our Workington store has a permanent collection point for the foodbank, and Kevin got to see the foodbank's work first-hand and discuss how the store can provide more ongoing support.
Kevin said: "Our customers are very generous with the food they donate and we appreciate all their support.
"Both myself and Adrian are quite new to our roles so it was great to meet him and find out how we can help out on top of the Fight Hunger funding they've just received."
Asda Fight Hunger Create Change: This Christmas, we're saying a big festive thank you to everyone helping to deliver our Asda Fight Hunger Create Change initiative. Read more stories here and find out more about our partnership with FareShare and The Trussell Trust here.
