Clients who receive support from the Foodbank will now be able to access support to top up gas and electricity meters too. The scheme is operating in 40 food banks across the country and is being funded by npower, who have made a charitable redress following an Ofgem investigation.
Ann Mills of Barrow Foodbank, said “People who are in food poverty are invariably in fuel poverty, having to choose between eat or heat. Many of the people referred to us have been disconnected or self-disconnected. Barrow Foodbank fully understands that the provision of a total of 10 days food and a fuel voucher is only a “sticking plaster” and will continue to work with our partners, particularly the Citizen’s Advice Bureau to address the underlying problem. We can in the short term, help clients to be able to provide heating for their families during the cold winter months in particular.”