Lord Mayor Cllr James Wright and Sheriff Dr Jan Sheldon have chosen to support Norfolk Community Foundation’s Nourishing Norfolk initiative as their civic charity appeal for 2023-24.
Norfolk Community Foundation
Norfolk Community Foundation is an independent local charity helping “ordinary people do extraordinary things”.
Since 2005, the foundation has delivered more than £40 million in grant funding to in excess of 4,000 grassroots community groups, charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises. This support ensures small, local charities and voluntary groups can thrive and grow. Led by their local knowledge and insight, they direct support to where it is most needed.
Recently, its attention has turned to tackling hunger in Norfolk. Food insecurity, whether temporary or long-term, puts a huge strain on families both physically and mentally. The cost-of-living crisis has seen the emergence of a new group of people who are suddenly finding themselves in a challenging situation where they can no longer feed themselves or their family.
Their Nourishing Norfolk initiative aims to ensure that no one in Norfolk goes hungry by setting up food hubs in partnership with local charities. Food hubs are local places that offer people a place to shop for healthy, affordable food and the chance to access the support they need to thrive. Whether it’s advice on budgeting and cooking or mental health support, food hubs offer the right support at the right time to prevent people from falling into crisis. Food hubs have become a focal point for communities to come together and think about the different ways they can support each other.
There are four food hubs already operating in Norwich, with more on the way soon. The civic charity appeal will enable additional support to be offered in both new and existing hubs and will also help to support the Norwich central distribution point, ensuring a reliable supply of staple food across the food hubs.
ENYP Social Supermarket
In the heart of Heigham Grove, Norwich, members of this social supermarket can buy fresh, frozen, dried, and tinned food, alongside toiletries and personal care items.
The Feed Social Supermarket
Located on the city side of Hall Road, this social supermarket provides members with discounted fresh, chilled and frozen food, plus toiletries and cleaning materials. With the help of other local partners, The Feed also runs workshops and classes in their adjoining Community Café, providing additional support and advice on things like cooking, money, housing and employment.
The Magdalen Street Pantry
Operated by the St Giles Trust for the benefit of their clients, this pantry offers nutritious and healthy food to families struggling to feed themselves. Whilst shopping at the Pantry, expert advice and support is on-hand from our Peer Advisors and Pantry Support worker who can help them address any barriers they are facing.
SOUL Foundation Social Supermarket
Based in a purpose-built facility on-site at SOUL Church, Norwich, this social supermarket officially opened on 11th April 2022. This membership-based community shop hosts a range of affordable fresh produce, long-life essentials, and household products.
Further Information
For further information about the project, please go to: www.norfolkfoundation.com/Nourishing-Norfolk
How to Donate
You can donate online by heading to www.norfolkfoundation.com/civic-charity
Donations can also be made by cheque. Simply send a cheque made payable to Norfolk Community Foundation (referencing Civic Charity on the reverse of the cheque) to Norfolk Community Foundation, St. James Mill, Whitefriars, Norwich, NR3 1TN
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