BIG HEARTED CUSTOMERS AT JOSEPH HOLT PUBS DONATE THOUSANDS TO FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE NORTH-WEST

We were delighted to receive a massive boost to our funds from Joseph Holt pubs across the region over the Summer.

The 173-year-old family owned, Manchester-based brewery collected nearly £130,000 from big hearted customers as part of its annual charity appeal. This has now been distributed to six different charities devoted to helping people struggling to pay their food bills – including Stockport Foodbank.

Thanks to fundraising events organised by dedicated staff as well as donations collected across its 127 pubs, the iconic Manchester-based brewery, was able to donate a significant sum to assist us in our aim to provide nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis.

Other benefactors of the appeal include Lucie`s Pantry in Salford, Greater Manchester-based Mustard Tree, Atherton & Leigh Foodbank, Compassion Acts in Southport and Bury-based Porch Boxes.

Each charity has reported a massive growth in the number of people relying on food banks – not least because of the crippling rise in the cost of living.

“Around 45 per cent of people coming to our food banks are doing so for the first time,” explains Nigel Tedford, general manager of Stockport Foodbanks. “Last year we handed out over 200,000 meals to the people of Stockport and, sadly, we going to see more and more in need. Meanwhile at this time of year – unlike, say Christmas or Easter – we can get a big drop in those making donations.  So the money from Joseph Holt will buy us much needed security in the months ahead. It will make a massive difference to the food we can buy – including milk, orange juice, canned fish and fresh fruit and vegetables.”

According to Richard Kershaw, chief executive of Joseph Holt and great-great grandson of the brewery`s eponymous founder, the company chose North-West food banks and clubs for its 2020/21 charity appeal in order to help people in the very heart of the communities where the pubs operate.

“As we all know, 2020 and 2021 were especially tough years for many people. And so for the first time in our history, we decided to fundraise for six charities located in our heartlands across the North-West. We had fantastic support from all our customers, employees and licensees who helped us fulfil our strong desire across the company to put something back into the local community.

The donations have certainly come at a critical time. Last year local charities and organisations warned that foodbank usage in the North-West could “spiral out of control”. Foodbank charity The Trussell Trust said in 2021 it gave out more food parcels within the North-West than anywhere else in the UK .

Added Nigel Tedford: “There has never been a greater need for our services.  We have had to spend thousands of pounds on supplementing food stocks, putting a new van on the road and improving warehouse facilities. The money from Joseph Holt will make a huge difference.”

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