Local opticians help raise over £9,000 for local food banks

Angharad Butler, Specsavers Macclesfield, with Dan Blackman team lead, Silk Life Foodbank

  Specsavers  Macclesfield has helped to raise more than £9,000 to support those struggling in their local communities this Christmas.   

With an increasing number of families needing support during this festive season, more than 30 Specsavers businesses across the region have joined together to support the initiative, raising the impressive total following two-weeks of fundraising.  

The donation comes as food banks in the region are anticipating that this winter will be the hardest yet for the growing number of people they support. 

The money has been donated to food banks located in communities closest to stores involved in the effort including Silk Life Foodbank in Macclesfield. 

   Angharad Butler from Specsavers in Macclesfield, says: ‘We  know what  an incredibly difficult time  it’s been  for  our local communities and the local economy as the cost of living crisis takes hold.  We see  people from our nearby communities  every day in our stores and  hear their stories – it can be incredibly upsetting, so we  felt  very strongly  about  doing our bit to  support.’ 

  Angharad continues: ‘The response from  fellow  stores  across  the region has been incredible  and  we have all been completely overwhelmed to learn how much has been raised.    

   ‘Funds  raised  will  mean much  needed grocery supplies  can be bought  to give  directly  to  families in need  in our communities, helping them  to get  through the festivities and school  holidays with plenty to eat.’    

The donations are now being sent directly to independent food banks  or  through  The  Trussell  Trust, which manages many of the community food banks across the region, so  Specsavers stores can support  the communities   closest to them. 

  Each store made an individual commitment to donate funds to a food bank in their neighbourhood, to ensure they are directly supporting residents and families close by. The donations will make a considerable impact to those requiring support.  

Research by the Trussell Trust, published in November, revealed that for the first time, the need for emergency food is outstripping donations, with the cost of living crisis resulting in a drastic increase in the number of foodbank users.  As well as a change to the profile of the typical UK food bank user, with one in five people, referred to food banks in the Trussell Trust’s network, from working households¹  

As a result of the Specsavers’ donations, it is hoped that food banks will be able to better meet the increasing demand and offer more support and wrap-around services to those in need.