A food redistribution charity reports it is struggling to meet the escalating demand for assistance across Cumbria.
Fareshare, an organization that provides millions of meals to communities nationwide, either free of charge or at a reduced cost, is facing unprecedented challenges.
According to the charity, it delivered 300 tonnes (300,000kg) of surplus food throughout Cumbria in the past year.
Naomi Winter, a coordinator for Fareshare, emphasized the need for additional vehicles to facilitate deliveries and address the growing demand in the region.
Winter noted that the need for free and heavily discounted food has reached “unprecedented” levels since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In Carlisle, specifically, we dispatch two vans every Wednesday due to the significant need,” she stated.
“Ideally, we would like to increase deliveries to the Carlisle area by six, as we have received several requests. However, we currently lack the capacity within our vans to accommodate this.”
Fareshare operates by redistributing food that would otherwise be wasted to charities and community groups.
For individuals like Leanne Hackett, a single mother with a five-year-old daughter, this service is invaluable.
“As a single parent living alone with my daughter, it makes a significant difference,” Hackett said.
“Budgeting is essential, and while I am generally good at it, we have to make cuts and manage as best as we can.”
Diane Snedker, another regular recipient, relies on the food to mitigate the increasing cost of living.
“I utilize this service because it provides essential support, especially as things become more challenging,” she explained.
“I live alone, but I often have my grandchildren over, and I need to provide meals for them as well.”
The charity is appealing to local charities and businesses for assistance in acquiring three vans to reach more individuals in need across Carlisle and Cumbria.
Ms. Winter added, “We need more charities to join us, and we also require additional food donations from the Cumbria area. We have had to reduce the amount of food we provide to each charity because supply is no longer meeting demand.”
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