Unity Trust Bank has formed a partnership with national charity, FareShare, to help tackle hunger and food waste across the UK.
Over 2 million tonnes of food is wasted across the UK’s food industry each year. Meanwhile, up to 10 million people, including 2 million children, are in food security*. FareShare believes that no good food should go to waste, with the charity redistributing the food industry surplus to the people who need it most.
Unity Trust Bank’s employees have selected FareShare to be the Bank’s charity partner until December 2023 to offer additional support to communities during the current cost of living crisis. The partnership has seen employees set a £30,000 fundraising target, which will be match-funded by Unity.
The money raised by the bank will go towards getting good-to-eat surplus food, which may otherwise go to waste, to a network of nearly 9,500 charities and community groups across the UK.
Unity Trust Bank is a socially determined business bank that helps organisations to prosper and contribute toward positive economic, social, and environmental change. The partnership with FareShare forms part of Unity’s charity proposition, which seeks to align with organisations that share similar values.
Deborah Hazell, CEO of Unity Trust Bank, said: ‘We are proud to support charities and organisations directly tackling societal issues across the UK. For this partnership, these charities are not just foodbanks as they also provide wraparound services for people who are often vulnerable and struggling with issues, such as unemployment and low income, debt, homelessness, loneliness and dependency.
“Food poverty is a rising problem, affecting an increasing number of people, alongside food waste and the associated environmental impact. As a team, we wanted to offer our support to help FareShare address these issues and continue this important work.”
Marie Travers, Head of Fundraising at FareShare charity, commented: “We are excited to be Unity Trust Bank’s Charity of the Year, helping us fight hunger and tackle food waste.
“Thanks to our incredible partners, like Unity Trust Bank, we can support vulnerable communities across the UK with the equivalent of two and a half million meals every week. We look forward to raising vital funds and working together.”
The funding provided by Unity will support FareShare’s corporate volunteers to sort, pack and deliver food to frontline charities — feeding those most in need.
