The RAFT Foundation: Rossendale's Local Food Bank

The RAFT Foundation: Rossendale's Local Food Bank

The RAFT Foundation provides food parcels to families and individuals in the Rossendale area who are experiencing financial hardship. 

So what is RAFT all about?

13 million people live below the poverty line in the UK

Every day the news tells us of the growing number of people in the UK who go hungry. Rising fuel costs, increasing food prices, redundancy, and benefit reforms are creating hardship amongst many individuals and families.

RAFT is run entirely by volunteers, and they rely on local support to assist local people.

Rossendale people are in hardship

Struggling financially is not limited to a particular location, age group or background. Recent unemployment figures estimate that nearly 4,000 people are out of work in the borough of Rossendale.*

RAFT aims to assist those in need

Financial hardship can occur very quickly. Redundancy, illness, family breakdown can all contribute to a sudden change in circumstance. What is more, it can be a matter of weeks before links to the services of local government agencies are established.

Collection and donation

RAFT has been created to support people in financial hardship.  Their work involves:

Co-ordinating and collecting publically donated non-perishable food and toiletries

Raising funds to supplement non-perishable goods with fresh food - milk, fruit/veg etc

Sorting and delivering nutritionally balanced food parcels to those in need

Working with other local agencies and offering a signposting service where appropriate.

*Office for National Statistics 2012

INFORMATION

Current trustees

Kate Crane (Chair), Rachel Heeks, Andrew Gundry

Twitter @raftfoundation

Facebook the.raft.foundation

Email info@raftfoundation.org

Phone/SMS: 07874 206854

The RAFT Foundation needs donations of non-perishable items, donations of funds and volunteers. If you can assist with any of these, please make contact using the details above.