Social housing provider donates over £13,000 to food banks in north Wales

A social housing provider has contributed over £13,000 to food banks local to their tenants and customers.

The housing providers in north Wales have contributed £2,500 to Gwynedd Food Banks including the Bangor, Arfon, Ffestiniog, Pwllheli and south Gwynedd areas.

They have also contributed to a food bank in Rhyl, Wrexham and Conwy, which is local to their tenants outside Gwynedd.

Adra decided to do make the donations due to the financial hardship facing local people including their tenants due to the pandemic and winter, a rise in homelessness, unemployment and universal credit.

Sarah Schofield, Adra’s director of customers and communities, said: “The food banks have played a vital role in supporting our tenants during the pandemic, many people are dependent on getting food from food banks, that is now the situation with unemployment at its highest level in Wales and so we think it is vital to give something back to support our tenants and communities over Christmas and beyond.

“We are so proud as a company to be able to give something back to such a vital service.

“We want to recognise the wonderful work being done by the Food Bank volunteers, they can’t be run without the support of the volunteers.

“The money we have collected and donated comes from our Coronavirus Fund which we established during the pandemic, as well as savings we have made and a community benefit contribution from our partners, Travis Perkins.”

Trey McCain, manager of Arfon Food Bank, added: “A lot of people come here as a result of losing work or are suffering from illness, and depending on the support from their local food bank.

“Covid-19 has of course put additional pressure on people, and we have seen an increase in demand for support and more food has gone out to those in need this year compared to years before.

“Christmas is also a very busy time for us. We have great support from the local community, and are grateful for contributions that come from local shops and supermarkets as well.

“Thanks to Adra for the financial contribution, it will be a great boost for us as a food bank after a very challenging year.”

For more information on food banks, visit: www.trusseltrust.org or call 0808 208 2138