Grants available for organisations tackling Newcastle food insecurity

Organisations which help Newcastle residents access food and essential supplies are invited to bid for grants to help them meet growing demand and rising costs.

Volunteers preparing packed lunches for delivery at Newcastle Civic Centre

More and more residents in the city are facing financial hardship as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, adding significant pressure to food banks and other organisations which offer vital assistance.

Those groups which help struggling residents obtain food and other essential supplies and provide support with welfare and wellbeing needs can now bid for grants of up to £50,000 from Newcastle City Council.

The council has been awarded £425,275 emergency funding from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. Of this, £230,920 will be allocated to those charities and other groups which help tackle food insecurity in the city. The remainder will help fund work around homelessness provision, people with no recourse to public funds, and families supported by Early Help and Community Family Hubs.

Cllr Joyce McCarty, Deputy Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “We know there are many families struggling to make ends meet and food costs can be a serious concern.

“This has been highlighted recently with the remarkable efforts of businesses, volunteers and community organisations who came forward to help feed children during half-term in the absence of the government agreeing to provide Free School Meals.

“There are many incredible individuals and groups in Newcastle doing remarkable work in our communities, and we want you to come forward to apply for this money which will help meet the costs of the rising demand you are seeing as a result of the pandemic.

“We know times are tough for residents and there is help available. This fund will improve the offer available to residents and help families get the provisions they urgently need.”

Applications will be considered across a range of criteria including those which provide an emergency response; provide a service over the weekend or deliver food parcels and/or meals; provide support for people who have to self-isolate; offer crisis support; demonstrate sustainability in the project.

For full criteria and more information, please view the application form.