Campaign to tackle food poverty launched in Cheshire by Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff

Cheshire’s Lord Lieutenant and High Sheriff have joined forces to launch a major new fundraising campaign to tackle food poverty across the county.

Mr David Briggs, the Queen’s representative in Cheshire, and High Sheriff Mr Nick Hopkinson are appealing for people to donate money this Christmas and beyond to support food banks across the boroughs of Warrington, Cheshire East and Cheshire West and Chester.

Donations will be administered by the Cheshire Community Foundation and used to fund food boxes and support services, assisting families and individuals across the county who are struggling to make ends meet.

Mr Briggs said: “The pandemic has gone on for far longer than we all hoped and there are many in Cheshire who are in real difficulty as a result – hundreds of people are literally hungry.

“The High Sheriff and I have been doing our best to get all the various agencies and charities cooperating, working together and to stop operating in silos. Delivering essential supplies to those in need is a complex process and involves arranging the use of warehouse equipment, pallet trucks, vans and racking, as well as sourcing food.

“Donations will be spent on dealing with emergencies this Christmas and also used early in the New Year, when sadly the problem is likely to get bigger. This is a big issue for our time and we feel truly passionate that no Cheshire family should go hungry.”

Zoe Sheppard, chief executive of the Cheshire Community Foundation, added: “By working strategically with our partners in Cheshire and Warrington to map both need and provision, we will work tirelessly to support families who might otherwise go hungry this festive season and beyond. Without the amazing generosity of local donors, this simply wouldn’t be possible.”

Following an approach by the High Sheriff, AO.Com have worked with the Swan cookware company to donate 200 slow cookers to kick start the campaign and help struggling families prepare healthy meals. £20 will pay for a food box for a family of four. Donations have already started to roll in towards the £200,000 target.

If you can help, please go to: https://www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/FeedingFamilies.

Pictured - (L to R) Cheshire High Sheriff Mr Nick Hopkinson and Lord Lieutenant Mr David Briggs, at the Cheshire Food Hub in Northwich launching a new county campaign to tackle food poverty.