Pontefract church's lunch scheme gets a cash boost

The cash has been given by Wakefield Council’s food bank support fund.

Lunch with Us started in September and has now been extended thanks to the council’s money and donations.

The service runs every Wednesday from 1pm to 2.30pm at Market Place. It serves more than 50 meals a week and helps supplement the work of the Pontefract Food Bank. A team of volunteers helps run the free family-friendly service but donations are always welcome.

Rev Bob Cooper, Vicar of Pontefract, said: “The church has been supporting the food bank and other organisations for the last couple of years during which time it has made a substantial contribution of food items. We’re delighted the council has given its support to this additional meals service which will help us to reach more people facing difficulties at this time”

Wakefield Council is making available £50,000 over two years to develop the network of food banks across the district.

The grant is being used to buy extra kitchen equipment, to contribute towards utility costs and the cost of food items.

Meanwhile, a charity concert at St Giles’ on Saturday, January 30 helped raised more than £1,400 for two good causes.

The packed out event was in aid of Pontefract Food Bank and Wakefield City of Sanctuary, which helps refugees.

New College students and Wakefield Community Gospel Choir performed to a full house on January 30.

A spokesman said: “Great performances were enjoyed during the evening, and substantial funds were raised for worthy local charities.”

See pontefract.foodbank.org.uk and wakefield.cityofsanctuary.org for more about their work.