FareShare West Yorkshire is operated by the award winning social business CREATE in Holbeck. FareShare re-distributes fit for purpose surplus food - donated by food producers and retailers - to disadvantaged and vulnerable people and this Christmas goes from strength to strength.
With coverage from the Yorkshire Post and an Early Days Motion praising the work of FareShare the response has been fantastic.
FareShare West Yorkshire project manager Charlie Wilkinson, said: “We are delighted at the support for our campaign – every pound that we receive will make a difference.”
Today the BBC broadcast live from the headquarters of FareShare in Leeds a record number of eight times, bringing the message of reducing food poverty to millions.
Through its Christmas Leftovers campaign, it hopes to raise money to support its work and increase awareness of the plight of thousands of people across Leeds and West Yorkshire who are trapped in food poverty.
He pointed out: “On average, people spend approximately £3 on a meal during each working day and if that same amount were donated it would pay for the delivery costs of food parcels for six local families, providing up to 60% of their weekly food.”
He added: “With the credit crunch and growing unemployment, more and more people in Leeds and other parts of West Yorkshire face the prospect of going hungry this Christmas – which is ironic when considering that across the UK food wasted over the festive period rises by 80% when compared with other times of the year. The cost of the additional 230,000 tonnes that is thrown away is a staggering £275 million.”
Since its launch eight months ago, FareShare West Yorkshire has re-distributed more than 100 tonnes of food and for each of those tonnes 2,381 meals can be provided for those in need.
Sarah Dunwell, CEO of CREATE which operates FareShare in West Yorkshire, was overwhelmed by the response, “CREATE is all about changing lives, taking tough situations and seeing them differently. From the dozens of staff and even more apprentices in Leeds, Bradford and Doncaster who have been homeless to the people who receive food other people thought best for landfill, we see change ever single day. FareShare is a great part of our work, providing employment and skills as well as a massive difference to the people who receive the food. We are delighted with the support for the Christmas Leftovers Campaign."
Further details about FareShare West Yorkshire are available on this website or at Fare Share West Yorkshire.
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