The Oasis Pantry in Southdown has received energy-saving cooking packs to help families on low incomes, including fifty slow cookers, thanks to a funding pot from Curo and Travis Perkins.
Oasis Pantries are part of a growing network of community pantries in Bath, supplying low cost, high-quality food to local people each week.
The project contacted housing association Curo to help fund practical support measures, like energy-efficient cooking for low-income families.
More than £2,000 was spent to give at least 50 families packages including low energy light bulbs, a slow cooker, recipe books and draught excluders. Over £100 worth of food was also donated.
Claire Henwood, from Oasis Pantries said: “Oasis Pantry (Roundhill) are delighted with this support from Curo and Travis Perkins.
“We know from surveying our members that fuel costs are a significant concern, and we’re so pleased to be able to offer these slow cookers and recipe books as a way to cook healthy meals for a fraction of the energy costs of a regular oven, alongside the other items to reduce overall fuel consumption.”
The donation was provided through a joint Curo and Travis Perkins funding pot, which is available for local community projects and ideas.
Pearl Slee, Asset and Energy Performance Manager at Curo said: “We’re thrilled at Curo to be able to support this project.
“We hope this will make a difference to food pantry customers’ fuel bills and help tackle fuel poverty in the area.”
Martyn Piper, Account Manager at Travis Perkins Managed Services added: “We are very pleased to be able to help. With food and fuel poverty on the rise, it’s great to be able to support those in need.”
If you live or work within approximately a 15-minute walk of an Oasis Pantry, and your household income is less than £18,000 a year, you’re eligible to become a pantry member.