Foodbanks Benefit From Council Donation
Foodbanks in Rhondda Cynon Taf have each received a donation from the Council as a result of residents’ involvement in the Cyd Cymru Energy Switching scheme.
Representatives from the Rhondda, Merthyr and Cynon, Taf Ely and Pontypridd Foodbanks were delighted to receive the donations, which will help with running costs, from Council Leader, Councillor Andrew Morgan and Deputy Leader, Councillor Keiron Montague.
Cllr Andrew Morgan said: “As a local authority we are committed to doing all we can to support people through a number of initiatives.
“Sadly foodbanks are an essential part of life for too many families up and down the country and we are hopeful this donation will go some way to help with the running costs of the four main foodbanks in Rhondda Cynon Taf which provide such a vital service for some of our residents.
“In presenting the cheques to representatives from the foodbanks in Rhondda Cynon Taf, we heard of some of the desperate stories of parents going without food in order to feed their children and we are pleased to be able to make this donation to them.”
Deputy Leader of the Council, Cllr Keiron Montague added: “Through the Cyd Cymru scheme residents are supported to switch to the energy tariff that best suits their needs.
“As well as saving residents money, the Council also receives a small share of the savings realised which is then donated to worthy causes in the County Borough.
“The scheme has demonstrated its worth with many residents benefitting from switching energy tariffs and now more residents will benefit through the Council’s donation to the foodbanks in Rhondda Cynon Taf.
“The donation the Council has been able to provide will hopefully help with the operating costs of the four foodbanks, which can be significant, and help them keep up the good work they undertake on a daily basis.”
Representatives from Rhondda Cynon Taf’s four foodbanks – Fr Michael Gable, David Holland, Lorraine Delbridge and Cleide Correia – spent time explaining some of the challenges they face to Cllr Morgan and Cllr Montague.
Speaking on behalf of the four foodbanks, David Holland said: “We are grateful for all the support we receive from residents who regularly donate food for distribution.
“However, the increasing demand on foodbanks places extra pressure on the day to day operating costs we face, such as utility and warehousing costs, and the Council’s donation will certainly help to alleviate some of these pressures.
Donations such as this also help us to plan and progress the operation of the foodbanks which provide such an important service to many residents across the County Borough.”
Cyd Cymru is a Welsh Government scheme which has seen a number of local authorities, including Rhondda Cynon Taf, come together as an energy-buying collective. Residents from across the member local authorities were invited to register their interest in finding better energy deals for their homes. Because the energy companies were then approached by the collective, with such a large number of people keen to switch to a better deal, they were able to offer even bigger discounts.
The average amount per year saved by those who switched their energy via Cyd Cymru was £270.
