Family Food Aid Appeal: Charity praises ‘fantastic’ NCF for tackling increasing struggle among families
A charity has praised the “fantastic” Northamptonshire Community Foundation for tackling the increasing struggle among families facing food poverty and insecurity.
NCF has responded to alarming local and national statistics, and launched their latest fundraising campaign to make a positive impact.
According to statistics released by The Food Foundation at the start of last year, 15 percent of UK households, comprising eight million adults and three million children, experienced food insecurity.
Shockingly, estimates revealed that 24 percent of households with children were grappling with this issue, and sadly the crisis disproportionately affects kids.
The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation was one of the charities to benefit from a share of more than £40,000 the last time this campaign ran in 2021.
Founder Teresa McCarthy-Dixon used the £2,000 to provide Northamptonshire schools with monthly breakfast boxes of long-life items, which teachers kept and discreetly offered to the children who needed it.
Expressing her support for the relaunch of the Family Food Aid Appeal, Teresa said: “Lots of families are struggling with the cost of living crisis, rising food costs and utility bills. We’ve seen the impact food poverty has on mental health first hand.
“With the support of NCF, it has allowed us to support many extra families in crisis and who are genuinely struggling.
“We want to take a little bit of pressure off them with our food bank, but a lot do not want to receive food that way because of their pride. We want them to accept some help and support from time to time.”
The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation’s breakfast box campaign is still running three years on, as children continue to miss breakfast when there is no food at home. Teachers help to identify the children who would benefit from a helping hand.
The charity’s food bank is unique and targets members of the community who may otherwise struggle to access a typical food bank. It is a discreet service that helps people until they are back on their feet.
When asked what she would use the money for if The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation were to receive another grant, Teresa said: “Our food bank. The demand for the service is exceptionally high and we want to reduce food poverty as much as possible.”
Teresa described NCF’s work as “fantastic” and said they are fortunate that, as a relatively new charity, the grant-maker is always at the end of the phone to offer advice.
The McCarthy-Dixon Foundation, which is run from The Swan and Helmet pub, continues to offer three weekly social clubs – live music and lunch from 12pm until 4pm on Mondays, ‘Cheers for Tuesdays’ men’s club from 2pm until 4pm, and ‘Stay Well Wednesdays’ from 10.30am until 1.30pm.
The team also offers affordable haircuts and nail upkeep, help with appointments, doorstop visits, IT classes, and the opportunity to help at their allotment.