Newcastle Lord Mayor Cllr Karen Robinson visited Kenton Food Bank this week. The Lord Mayor spoke with local volunteers, Project Manager Lorre Wilson, local supporters, and local Councillor Stephen Lambert, Chair of the Kenton Ward Committee.
Loree Moran-Wilson, manager of Kenton Food Bank, said:
” It was great that the Lord Mayor took time out to visit us to see at first hand the work we do in supporting needy families and households.”
Cllr Robinson said:
”I was most impressed with the excellent work Kenton Food Bank does with the support of sponsors and local residents. It’s so sad and quite unbelievable, that in 2022 food banks like the one here in Kenton have to exist to meet growing need.”
Kenton Food Bank
The food bank was set up in 2019 and aims to reach needy families both in Kenton and nearby Fawdon, Cowgate, and Blakelaw. The Kenton Food Bank provides food parcels for up to 80 local people each week many of whom are on benefits like Universal Credit. According to local figures, one in three youngsters are trapped in child poverty.
The project is also asking for donations like blankets to help challenge soaring energy bills and fuel poverty. Local Kenton resident Brian Dickinson has donated several blankets.
Kenton Food Bank is working closely with the regional charity Mental Health Concern. One-to-one budgeting sessions are to be shortly delivered. Research notes that there’s a close link between financial insecurity and mental well-being.
Coun Stephen Lambert said: ‘
‘Kenton Food Bank working with our Welfare Rights project, Citizens Advice and Mental Health Concern continues to play an important role in supporting those in need and helping with the cost-of-living crisis in this part of the city.”
