Date posted: 20th Sep 2022
Clive Owen LLP, chartered accountants and business advisers, is lending its support to the York Foodbank as many people in the City struggle with the cost of living crisis.
It has set up a drop off point, situated in its York office on Northminster Business Park, and has already had dozens of donations.
Rising energy bills and food inflation have caused many individuals and families to suffer from food poverty. Currently one in five people* in the UK live below the poverty line and York Foodbank alone gave out 5,545 three-day emergency food supplies to people in crisis last year.
Audit and accounts manager, Lisa Fletcher, and administrator, Helen Cozens, came up with the idea to provide a focal point for donations and distributed flyers across the business park, encouraging others to donate food to help those most in need.
Lisa Fletcher, audit and accounts manager at Clive Owen LLP in York, said: “The reaction across the business park has been fantastic and we are grateful for the generous donations made by colleagues and neighbours. With the upcoming increase in the energy price cap, we encourage people to continue contributing to our monthly collections to provide food for the most vulnerable.”
Carl Wright, head of grants and transaction advisory services for the firm and who is leading their sustainability agenda, said: “We are very proud of Lisa for setting up the scheme with the help and support of her colleagues. We have always empowered our people and encouraged them to support the wider community.
“It is incredibly difficult for many families at the moment, and I am pleased that we can do just a little to help York Foodbank in the amazing work it does in the City.”
Adam Raffell, Foodbank Manager, said: “At York Foodbank we’re extremely grateful to Clive Owen for facilitating this much needed food collection. It’s not right that people are being swept into poverty through the impact of the present cost of living crisis, but unfortunately an increasing number of households and individuals are being referred to us by front line professionals in need of help. Clive Owen is providing timely practical support to those members of our communities who are struggling the most.”
Clive Owen LLP, which also has offices in Darlington, Durham and Middlesbrough has seen other teams across the firm take on the initiative and offer a collection service to support a local food bank.
York Food Bank is part of a nationwide network that provides emergency food and support to local people who are in crisis and living in poverty.
