Wiltshire butter maker 'spreads' support to Salisbury groups

Anchor has given cash to projects that use food to help communities

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 8th Nov 2022

Wiltshire butter maker, Anchor, has given out £33,000 to projects across the county that use food as a way to support their communities.

The company, based in Westbury, has had help from the Wiltshire Community Foundation to distribute the cash.

Some Salisbury organisations have benefitted from the butter firm 'spreading' the support.

The Pantry Partnership in the city has got £5,000 from the fund.

They'll use the cash to provide regular meals for Ukrainian refugees, and supply food for families involved in their 'Cook and Eat' sessions.

That's a service, working alongside local GPs to make sure older, isolated or recently bereaved people are well fed, while giving them a chance to meet others and learn new skills.

Some of the food produced by Salisbury's Pantry Partnership

Director Fiona Ollerhead said:

"As well as those receiving support, we have 35 volunteers, many of whom are older people who benefit from the social interaction and opportunity to contribute to their local community.”

£3,000 has also been given to St Michael’s Community Centre in Bemerton Heath towards an upgrade of their kitchens.

That's needed to help them meet the increasing demand they're facing for low cost meals for people using their Community Café.

Fundraising Co-ordinator Howard Tranter said:

“We see the growing need in the community for families which consist of many single-parent families who can’t work and exist on benefits. Given the rising cost of living and especially increased food prices we know there is a need for affordable healthy meals to help those in poverty.”

Wiltshire based Anchor Butter has been supporting causes that use food to support local people

Anchor spokesman Stuart Ibberson said:

“Food has always been at the heart of community life in Britain and cooking and enjoying food should be accessible for everyone. This is why we’ve partnered with the UK Community Foundation to connect local communities and ensure that as many people as possible have access to cooking skills, food education and friendship. Through the partnership, we aim to spread a bit of food positivity in neighbourhoods across the nation.”

Wiltshire Community Foundation joint chief executive Fiona Oliver said:

“We are delighted to be a member of this partnership and proud that Anchor is entrusting us to use its money where it will make the most impact. In the midst of the current crisis, access to healthy food as well as support, advice and companionship have never been more important so we are thankful that Anchor has chosen to do this.”

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