Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank receives generous donation

On Monday, May 13, Carol Knowles presented a cheque to Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank.

The donation, made possible through the Trade Union Charitable Trust, serves as a testament to Carol’s enduring commitment to community welfare and social responsibility.

Mark Whittington, Social Action Manager at Farnworth Baptist Church, has expressed his gratitude.

He said: "We are thankful to Carol for this generous donation to our impacting work here at The Well.

“Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank is a lifeline for individuals and families across Farnworth and Kearsley who often require more than just food.

“We also upskill individuals seeking employment, we provide welfare and benefits advice and guidance, support residents with their wellbeing, and walk alongside those who are struggling with debt.

“£2,500 will go a long way in supporting the vital work of Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank."

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Carol  said: "I am delighted on behalf of Accord Union, as their new President, to be able to present this cheque for £2,500 to Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank as part of my election success.

“It’s a cause that is close to my heart, so it is great to be able to give a gift to a charity that is local, as a born and bred Bolton girl.

“I hope it goes to helping those in need in the area, and hopefully help to raise awareness for the great things this charity does."

The Well and the foodbank van (Image: Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank)Recent figures have also been revealed by the Trussell Trust regarding the number of emergency food parcels that have been given out at their foodbanks in Bolton.

Figures show this has lowered across the borough at the Trussell Trust foodbanks with a total of 3,368 handed out in 2022-23 and 2,645 handed out between April 2023 and March 2024.

Mark from Farnworth and Kearsley Foodbank said this is good news that the number has lowered as it means the work they are doing to support people is working.

He said: “It is good news for us that the figures have gone down because we believe that the people coming into the foodbank are being supported better than maybe they were previously because we are trying to give that individual one to one help.

“Seeing a drop in figures for us is a positive thing because it shows that what we have been doing is actually working.

“Over the last two years we have worked really hard to ensure that anyone coming to the foodbank who is referred to us and is in an immediate crisis is given support and because of the other services that we offer.

"We are always trying to look at what the underlying issue may be and the reason why they have needed to come for an emergency food parcel.

“We can refer them to the other services that we offer here at the hub such as the welfare and benefits help, wellbeing support, debt advice centre and more.

“And we have those services, but we are also working hard on building relationships with other statutory and voluntary agencies in Bolton too so that we can refer people to those services.

“We are always trying to look at the underlying support and ensuring that people are coming here in an emergency crisis and not needing to rely on the foodbank.”

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on X @chloewjourno.