A FOOD bank and a project to help unemployed people and those on low incomes has received money and support from a financial firm.

Brighton-based financial services company OneFamily has awarded Whitehawk Food Bank and the Brighton Unemployed Families Centre Project (BUCFP) £2,500 each, and will offer hands-on support through employee volunteering and the sharing of skills, networks and experience.

Teddy Nyahasha, CEO of OneFamily, said: "Supporting local families, improving their life chances and building the financial wellbeing of people in our community are very important to us and have been our focus for many years.

"We've worked with the Whitehawk Food Bank before, so know very well the fantastic work the team there does to reduce food poverty and support those who need it the most.

"BUCFP is an organisation that our colleagues have previously said they wanted to support, so I'm very happy to be working with them - they are making a real positive difference to families in the city.

"We're keen to build partnerships with both groups because, for us, it's not just about handing money over and believing that the job is done.

"We'll be investing time, practical support and advice to local charities and community groups that we hope will have a real impact on the lives of local people."

The BUFCP, set up in 1981, provides practical support, education and advice to the unemployed, the unwaged and those on low incomes.

Lisa Hook, a fundraiser for the project, said: "We dependent on continued fundraising and donations to run our busy services and the donation from OneFamily will go a long way towards providing food and basics for families as well as emotional support for people who may be really struggling." The Whitehawk Food Bank has supported over 22,000 people and handed out nearly 10,000 food parcels since it launched in 2015.

Joe Walker, food bank manager at Whitehawk Food Bank, said: "With the economic impacts of COVID still ongoing, sadly the need for emergency food is increasing in our city.

"We're so grateful for the generosity of OneFamily in providing valuable funds to help us ensure that no one in our community goes hungry."

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