Gordon Brown-backed charity expanding to help more families as dependence on food banks increase
Our reporter Johnny Blair was at the opening of the new Multibank branch in Middlesbrough
A charity founded by former prime minister Gordon Brown is expanding to boost its aim of supporting families struggling with the cost-of-living crisis.
A new Multibank is to open in Middlesbrough on Tuesday, operated by local charity The Junction, and is expected to donate more than 750,000 surplus goods over the next year to 75,000 families across the region.
Coupled with the new Multibank, a television campaign is being launched – starring former Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi – aimed at raising funds and supplies for the charity.
The Multibank network, founded by Mr Brown with support from online giant Amazon, is now backed by Comic Relief and growing numbers of businesses, redistributing surplus items such as clothes, shoes, toiletries, hygiene products, bedding, home furnishings, toys and baby goods to families struggling to make ends meet.
The first Multibank opened in Fife three years and others now operate out of Wigan, Swansea and London – and have between them distributed more than five million surplus goods to 500,000 families.
Mr Brown said: “Multibanks are not just about meeting needs but offering hope that families struggling to get by can have a better life and in particular, as we prepare for Christmas we want Multibanks to put a smile on every child’s face.
“The key to the work of the Multibank is that we link companies who have surplus products to community-based charities like The Junction, who with their networks know the people in their communities who need them.
“The Multibank model benefits all of us because by making sure no good product goes to waste we are alleviating poverty by tackling pollution and creating a new cost-effective solution that sustains both the planet and childhood opportunity."
Beth Major, chief executive of The Junction, said: “No-one should struggle alone. We know the challenges that children, young people and families in Tees Valley face alongside the challenges of practitioners trying to meet those needs through our work.
“The Junction Multibank will help agencies and practitioners provide essential goods to families and individuals facing challenges, ensuring quicker access to basic needs. This timely support will enable deeper engagement and opportunities for long-term progress.”
The Government has vowed to bring in measures to try and tackle the cost of living crisis, including addressing the growing use of food banks.
A Government spokesperson said: “The mass dependence on food banks is unacceptable, that’s why we’ve extended the Household Support Fund again to help struggling families with the cost of essentials.
“Alongside this, we are increasing the national living wage, uprating benefits and helping over one million households by introducing a fair repayment rate on Universal Credit deductions, while our Child Poverty Taskforce develops an ambitious strategy to give all children the best start in life.”
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