News

The Olive Branch awarded Jigsaw Foundation funding

Jigsaw Foundation has awarded £500 to The Olive Branch charity in Lancaster to help support the growing number of people accessing their services for food parcels.

The funding will go towards purchasing tinned food for their food bank.  Incoming donations of food from the public, schools and churches has not been enough meet their current demand.  In order to ensure they always have food available, the charity has been relying on cash donations and occasional grants in order to buy additional food locally.

The Olive Branch is an ongoing project that started in 2006. It provides help, support and advice to individuals and families in poverty at its Lancaster access support centre.  Local residents can access and benefit from budgeting advice, IT provision, energy clinics, help with job and housing applications as well as emergency food parcels.

Last year, The Olive Branch provided 2,486 food parcels, benefiting 1,292 dependent children. This year the figure is set to increase.  If you wish to get involved or want to know more, visit The Olive Branch website.

Jigsaw Foundation is the Group’s investment fund that helps support local projects run by charities, resident and community groups, voluntary organisations, social enterprises and partner agencies.  To find out more visit foundation.jigsawhomes.org.uk