Carlisle Local Committee has begun allocating the £43,500 it had been awarded by Cumbria County Council to bulk buy food supplies and help people. 

The money will be donated to several community organisations and charities across Carlisle to help boost their stocks of free or affordable food.

The funds are part of a wider £2m package announced by the county council earlier this year to support those most in need across the county as inflation drives up prices.

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Chair of Carlisle Local Committee, councillor Cyril Weber, said: "With the cost of living on the rise, many people and families in Carlisle are struggling.

"Affordable food supplies or emergency food provisions provided through community organisations are a vital lifeline to these families during this difficult time and I’m so thankful we’ve been able to provide some funding to support these initiatives.

"If you’d like to save money on your shopping and the cost of the weekly shop is beginning to become a burden, affordable food hubs and pantries are a great way of shopping to a budget without needing to be referred through official channels.

"However, if your situation is more urgent and you require emergency food supplies, food banks are on hand if you need them. And there’s no shame in accessing these services. They are there to help."

£500k of this funding was allocated to ‘Direct Community Support’, including the bulk buying of food to support local food banks and affordable food hubs.

The five other local committees of Cumbria will also be deciding how to allocate their own share of the funding over the coming weeks.

So far, Carlisle Local Committee has decided to award funds to The Lookout, they received £2,000 towards their food pantry at Shadygrove Road. 

Botherby Community Centre has also received funding of £2,500 towards their pop up pantry, to support residents in Botcherby. 

Cornerstones at St James Church has received £3,000 towards their food bank and pop-up pantry to support the residents in the Denton Holme area. 

A number of other groups have also received funding from the scheme.