Now we're cooking as donors fund kitchen

INSIDE the new Oldham Foodbank headquarters, in the former Three Crowns pub with Andrew Barr, Foodbank manager

A NEW community kitchen will be created at Oldham Foodbank after a crowdfunding campaign reached its target with time to spare.

The charity had hoped to raise £13,850 to create a kitchen in their new home at the former Three Crowns Pub in Manchester Street, with the facility used to prepare fresh hot meals using surplus food which otherwise would have been thrown away by supermarkets or producers.

After receiving donations from hundreds of online backers as well as substantial support at fundraising events, the team were getting close to their target last week but still needed a few thousand pounds.

Andrew Barr, Oldham Foodbank manager, said; "The campaign had be going strong since we had launched and we'd received backing from across Oldham.

"We'd also applied for match funding from Santander Changemaker, but we weren't sure if we would be successful or if we met the requirements for funding.

"But when we found out that we'd been successful and would receive £6,925 it was amazing and it tipped us over our target."

The charity have now added a stretch target of £21,000 to their campaign which will help to provide even more equipment and facilities on site.

Mr Barr added: "We'd like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has pledged support, shared the campaign, volunteered or donated during our fundraising events.

"After we reached our target we discussed continuing the fundraising to add to our equipment to ensure we can really turn waste and locally grown food into a great local food supply.

"Additional equipment will enable the many growing groups to process and explore roots to enterprise and it will also enable groups such as The Oldham Real Junk Food and others to help everyone in Oldham by turning food waste into healthy meals whilst reducing landfill and saving carbon."

Included in the list of additional items required at the community are a larger oven, a blast chiller for preserving food, jars, a vacuum packer and new flooring for the kitchen area.

Mr Barr continued: "We also want to set up a beehive on the flat roof of the building and ensure we support beekeepers to look after our important pollinators."

The crowdfunding appeal closes on February 8.

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