Dorset Community Foundation worked with BCP Council to establish the BCP Food Support Fund, as part of an effort to distribute £2.6 million to vulnerable people living in Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole during winter. Households who were struggling to afford food, energy, and water bills received support through the Household Support Fund scheme delivered through BCP Council and its partners.

Dorset Community Foundation were provided with £80,000 by BCP council, to administer grant-making to voluntary and community organisations which provided food and fuel support between November 2021 and the end of March 2022. This funding benefited 14 community food projects and more than 3,000 residents in the Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole area.

Among the recipients was Bournemouth Foodbank, which received funding to launch a new Community Café providing free meals to those suffering financial hardship. Its All About Culture in Boscombe received funding so it could provide culturally sensitive food parcels in the town, especially to ethnic minority groups.

The Household Support Fund was extended to 30th September 2022 in light of the increasing cost of living crisis. Once again, BCP Council reached out to its partners and Dorset Community Foundation distributed £112,000 of funding to local community organisations providing essential food and community meals to those who will be experiencing food poverty during the summer.

Pictured: It’s All About Culture in Boscombe provided culturally-sensitive food parcels with the money it received from BCP Council via Dorset Community Foundation last year