A LOCAL chaplaincy has successfully bid for funding to help deliver a brand-new mobile community food pantry across the borough.
Mission in the Economy (MitE) will receive £124,842 of funding to support the St Helens Mobile Community Food Pantry project via the Government’s Faith New Deal Fund.
The fund is a competitive new grant program that will provide £1.3 million to faith-based groups to pilot community initiatives with local service providers.
MitE’s proposal was put forward on behalf of the St Helens Food Alliance, a group of local voluntary organizations which looks to tackle food poverty as the cost of living crisis continues.
MitE is one of sixteen organizations to be granted the funding across the UK, with the bid supported from the start by St Helens North MP Conor McGinn.
Their funding comprises the second largest grant awarded and is planned to be put into action in January 2023.
The faith group will work with local services to provide food to those who need it
Welcoming the news, Dr Emma Howarth, Director of Operations at Mission in the Economy, said:
“Mission in the Economy are absolutely thrilled that we have been granted one of the 16 successful funding bids for the Faith New Deal Pilot fund.
“This funding will provide a mobile pantry in St Helens that will support the three static food pantries already in place and the two that are about to be launched.
“St Helens Food Alliance is a strong partnership of foodbanks and food pantries working across the Borough and the mobile pantry will ensure that the provision can reach the communities that need it most.
“Mission in the Economy represents the faith communities of St Helens and we are delighted to be working together with The Food Alliance, Torus Foundation and St Helens Borough Council to deliver this project.
“Working together is something that we do really well in St Helens, and this demonstrates the difference that we are making.”
Labor MP for St Helens North Conor McGinn
Commenting, Conor McGinn MP said:
“I am delighted to see Mission in the Economy secure well-earned funding to make this important, timely community project a reality.
“Faith-based and voluntary groups are integral to who we are in St Helens and do immaculate work across the borough. Yet again, they are stepping up when our community needs it most with a spirit of generosity and solidarity that is typical of our people.
“I was proud to back this strong local bid, and I will keep up my work with political, community and faith leaders across St Helens Borough to help support our people and deliver the benefits that incredible projects like this can provide.”