'Makes a massive difference' - Community centre praises 'crucial' BIG FOOD Project
“I think it makes a massive difference to people in our area, and our partnership and working together is massively important.”
A Blackpool community centre has described The BIG FOOD Project as a ‘crucial’ service as it steps up efforts to raise £25,000 to help feed people this Christmas.
Joe Shepherd, Chief Officer of Claremont First Steps Community Centre, said that cooperation between the two Blackpool organisations is ‘crucial’.
In a scheme backed by the Blackpool Gazette, The BIG FOOD Project is hoping to raise £25,00 in the next six weeks to help serve 50,000 meals for residents across the Fylde coast this winter. The initiative is called Fylde’s BIG Festive Feed, and over £2000 has been raised so far.
Thanks to a partnership with the Aviva Communities Fund, every £1 donated to The BIG FOOD Project will be doubled, meaning donations can go further than ever before.
The BIG FOOD Project works with several charities across Blackpool, including the Claremont First Steps Community Centre (CFSCC) , an organisation which provides support, food and a community for struggling residents.
Joe Shepherd has been involved with CFSCC for nearly 22 years, and is now the group’s Chief Officer. She told the Gazette that cooperation with The BIG FOOD Project and other Fylde coast organisations is very important.
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Joe said: “Without The BIG FOOD Project being here, we wouldn't have that hook to actually help people further down the line. It allows us to get people through the door initially so that we can start helping them after that.
“We’ve been working with them for years now. We buy crates containing different types of food from them, be it bread, eggs, pastries. People can then come in to us with a carrier bag and take whatever they need.
“When we have the funds available, we will top the service with things like ham and cheese, generally things that don't need cooking because some people don't have cooking facilities. We also try to offer them a bacon sandwich and a brew.
“I think it makes a massive difference to people in our area, and our partnership and working together is massively important.”