Volunteer service welcomes Lottery grant - £10k cash boost to help feed needy

An East Durham charity, which distributes hot food and emergency parcels to those in financial hardship, has received a £10,000 cash boost to increase its services to those in need.

​The Big Lottery's Award for All grant will be used to improve the kitchen facilities of East Durham Trust's People's Takeaway - a volunteer-led service, which prepares and distributes meals to people facing financial difficulties.

​The extra funding will see more meals delivered and a wider variety of food on offer. It will also support the provision of family arts and crafts activities at the charity's building Community House, which also includes a free meal for those that come along.

​The Trust already distributes around 100 food parcels every week and around 30 hot food deliveries to those who are struggling financially.

​Chief executive Malcolm Fallow said: "The impact of welfare reform and austerity has been catastrophic for many people in the local area with many struggling to feed themselves or their family on a regular basis. With such lack of cash, families also struggle to find social activities to enjoy as a family. This grant from the Lottery will allow the Trust to help many local people in such situations, providing a meal and activity for free."

​He added: "Such support wouldn't be available without those who play the National Lottery and so we would like to say a special thanks for their support too."

​The new programme of family activity will start in April, with various sessions taking place in the Easter holidays too.