Derby charity tackling food insecurity launches appeal for businesses to join its 100 Club to support local children and families

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 14 September 2023

A Derby charity which has supported 40,000 people in the city during the cost-of-living crisis is launching an urgent appeal for help.

The Derby Food 4 Thought (DF4T) Alliance, based in Charnwood Street, needs £10,000 a month to purchase food for its vital food support service – and funds are low.

To meet this challenge and raise some much-needed funds, a new campaign called the 100 Club is launching on Tuesday, September 19, at a Marketing Derby Bondholder breakfast event at Pride Park Stadium.

DF4T is seeking 100 business to sign up and commit to supporting the charity by giving £100 a month – for the next 12 months.

Paul Brookhouse, manager of the Derby charity, said:

“This new campaign, gives local businesses as members of our 100 Club the chance to get involved and sponsor us – and we could really do with the support.

“Your £100 a month will feed 20 children for three days a month, or 240 children for a year.

“Without more local help we won’t be able to provide the invaluable support to families and children across Derby.

“We are looking for businesses to join others who have already pledged to become a partner.”

Latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show that Derby had 23,000 children living in poverty last year. In 2022, the charity gave out 20,314 food parcels to support families. With the cost-of-living crisis continuing for many, fears are growing that this winter could be tough.

Paul said:

“Thousands of people in Derby are now relying on foodbank support and numbers just keep going up and we really need everyone’s help. Did you know there is an 11-year difference in life expectancy for residents of Derby between deprived and more affluent areas.”

The Derby Food 4 Thought (DF4T) Alliance was set up in March 2020, to respond to the needs of people at start of the Covid pandemic. Since then, it has become the main distributor of food to 13 food banks across the city. The charity also works with Derby City Council’s housing arm, Derby Homes, and has supplied vulnerable people with air fryers, heated blankets and slow cookers.

Paul said:

“The 100 Club is such an important campaign. If we can rely on some support from local businesses, we know this will help us get through the next 12 months.

“It’s our job to make sure that the most vulnerable in the city do not go hungry and that’s why we are asking for help.”

Lindsey Hatfield, Commercial Development Manager at Marketing Derby, said:

“The Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance does an amazing job to help families across Derby and the 100 Club is a perfect opportunity for businesses to get involved with the local charity.

“So many people now rely on foodbank support, and we are aware that these numbers are going up. Let’s get behind Paul and the charity and do what we can to help.”

Businesses interested in supporting the DF4TA 100 Club campaign can sign up at the Marketing Derby event or get in touch with Paul at Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance on Derby (01332) 227730 or emailing info@df4ta.com

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