Efficiency North, the Northern-based social housing consortium, has announced its festive charity efforts this holiday season, donating £2,000 to support Barnsley Foodbank Partnership.

Barnsley Foodbank was founded by churches and community groups in South Yorkshire, working together to stop hunger across the local community. Part of the Trussell Trust network, the foodbank is run with the support of volunteers and provides three-day emergency food supplies to help individuals and families in need, alongside signposting to additional resources for longer-term assistance

As Christmas draws near, the board and executive team of Efficiency North presented the cheque to Barnsley Foodbank this month at Tankersley Manor in Barnsley, where the team and board came together for the organisation’s annual strategic planning day. The board and team also supported the foodbank by donating items most desperately needed by users of the foodbanks at this time of year.

The donation comes at a time where rising living costs and food prices are leading to a surge in demand for foodbanks across the region. In the last year, Barnsley Foodbank Partnership has fed a total of 10,009 people, including 3,145 children.

The need continues to intensify, with more than 3.1 million emergency food parcels distributed by the Trussell Trust’s community of foodbanks, including Barnsley. This is a staggering 94% increase over the past five years.

Lee Parkinson, chief executive of Efficiency North, said: “Barnsley Foodbank’s team works tirelessly throughout the year to support those most in need in our community. As the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis continue to deepen, we’re proud to help alleviate some of that burden on our local communities.

“As the festive season approaches, we are even more committed at Efficiency North to making a tangible difference to individuals and families across Yorkshire. We encourage other businesses to join us in holding hands with and supporting our local foodbanks during these times, as every contribution matters.”

Barnsley Foodbank’s manager Suzanne Storey said: “Thank you to everyone at Efficiency North who was involved in this generous monetary donation, we are overwhelmed and appreciate the kindness.

“This will go towards helping those who find themselves in crisis at this time. Working in partnership with organisations such as Efficiency North can have a massive impact on what stock we are able to purchase.”

Efficiency North has also donated £500 to St John’s Church foodbank in Hull. This year marks the third consecutive year of support for regional foodbanks from the organisation, with donations totalling £8,000, and building on Efficiency North’s ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity. Alongside the cash donation, its wider team has donated essential long-life food items.

To learn more about Barnsley Foodbank and how the project works, or to discover how you can support it, visit the website: https://barnsley.foodbank.org.uk.