Wates Residential helps secure funding for vital community foodbank service as demand increases due to CoVid-19.

A growing number of residents across the city of Cardiff who are struggling to afford food and vital household supplies as a result of CoVid-19 are set to benefit from a generous charitable grant.

Cardiff Foodbank has been selected to receive a Wates Giving grant totalling £5,000, from the independent charity, the Wates Family Enterprise Trust.

The foodbank relies entirely on charitable donations to maintain the vital service that it delivers for individuals and families, with a third of those supported by the service last year recorded to be children.

Since the outbreak of CoVid-19, the Foodbank has been experiencing a huge increase in demand from individuals in crisis. While annual referrals to the service typically reach 15,000 people per year, demand soared in March to a 120% increase on the same time last year and by 165% in April.

National developer, Wates Residential applied to the Wates Family Enterprise Trust for a grant to help the Foodbank expand its operational capability during this challenging time. The grant will allow the charity to fund the appointment of a new volunteer coordinator to support growing demand.

Three days of emergency food are provided to anyone assessed to be experiencing hardship or crisis as a result of low income, poor health, redundancy, bereavement or delays in benefit payments.

Over half of those currently seeking support from Cardiff Foodbank are of working age and in low wage employment so the service is currently planning for a further spike in referrals as the economic impacts of CoVid-19 continue to be felt across the city.

The service also aims to help individuals and families in their time of need by offering money advice sessions, a chance to talk and signposting to other available resources across the city.

Wates Residential, is currently part of a 10-year ‘Cardiff Living’ partnership with Cardiff Council to deliver around 1,500 homes across the city to help tackle the growing demand for housing. 40 per cent of the new homes delivered will be council homes available to rent through the existing allocations process or to buy through the council’s Home Assisted Ownership scheme.

Ed Rees, Regional Director for Wates Residential, said:

“We believe that everyone deserves a great place to live and that includes ensuring that every individual has access to nutritious food to feed themselves and their families. We are delighted to have been able to nominate Cardiff Foodbank for grant funding to support their vital work, particularly as so many people across the city are now also experiencing the financial impacts of CoVid-19.

“The volunteers running this service are real local heroes and continue to make a real difference to people’s lives. We are proud to be able to support their selfless work in offering a vital lifeline to some of those most in need across the city.”

Andy Wates, Chair of the Wates Family Enterprise Trust, adds:

“Providing grants for crucial community schemes is one of the core aims of the Trust. Having been put forward for funding by Wates Residential, we are very pleased to be supporting the great work of the Cardiff Foodbank particularly in these difficult times.”

Eleanor Sanders, Chair of Trustees at Cardiff Foodbank, said:

“A huge thank you to the Wates Family Enterprise Trust for this kind donation. As we receive no public funding, we are very grateful for this grant, particularly at a time when we are experiencing a significant increase in referrals.

“While we wish there wasn’t a need for this service, we recognise the support needed by people across the city and call on decision makers to ensure that everyone has enough food to eat.”