Foodbank launches kitchen campaign

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A FUNDRAISING campaign to provide a community kitchen and get surplus food from bins to bellies has been started by Oldham Foodbank.

The charity has launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £13,850 to create a kitchen in their new home at the former Three Crowns pub in Manchester Street.

It is hoped that once created, the kitchen will be used to prepare fresh hot meals using surplus food which otherwise would have been thrown away.

Andrew Barr, Oldham Foodbank manager, said: "Every week food is being thrown away which could be used to feed people in Oldham.

"We want to work with our partners in the Oldham Food Network to provide nutritious meals.

"By providing a kitchen we are can cook food from local traders and growers, improving access to local, healthy food for all."

He added that food produced would be served on a "pay as you feel" system and would offer a place where people could come together to meet, share and eat.

The kitchen will also be open for use by community groups in Oldham to help inspire people to grow their own food and learn how to create healthy meals.

Mr Barr said it is hoped the new kitchen will also provide more opportunities for staff to help people out of food poverty.

He said: "People use the foodbank in an emergency but we want to help people through the situation and hopefully out of fuel poverty by providing access to healthy eating and cooking courses. When we move to our new home in January we hope to extend the support we offer."

Last year the foodbank gave out 4,942 emergency food parcels.

The crowdfunding campaign, which has raised more than £3,000, will run until February 8. Volunteers and partners from Oldham Food Network gathered in Oldham Town Centre yesterday to serve fresh food and fundraise for the community kitchen.

The foodbank is offering rewards for people who contribute to the appeal, including an exclusive gourmet dinner with talented chefs at the foodbank (£200), the chance to have your company's logo in the foodbank as a key supporter (£150) or an authentic curry masterclass course from Wifi North-West (£35).

Those able to donate smaller sums could also get an invitation to the celebration and opening ceremony (£20), their name on the "Wall of Supporters" (£10) or a packet of seeds hand-packaged by Oldham volunteers (£5).

To find out more or to donate, visit crowdfunder.co.uk/oldham-food-bank-community-kitchen.