Latest news with #DF4TA
BBC News
03-08-2025
- General
- BBC News
Food bank demand in Derby 'highest since Covid'
A food bank says demand for help in Derby is at its highest since it launched in 2020 during the Covid-19 Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance (DF4TA), in Charnwood Street, said families were struggling with poverty and the cost of living crisis during the school charity made a plea for £15,000, claiming it was fast running out of supplies to meet demand, and almost £5,300 had been donated by residents and businesses, days after the appeal was Paul Brookhouse said, despite the generous support, he feared for the food bank's future saying it "simply doesn't have the funds" to spend up to £10,000 each month to restock. He said food bills and energy prices were rising and families were finding it harder to cope, adding the "phone has not stopped ringing" for help, the Local Democracy Reporting Service was told."Food inflation has increased in the last six months so the price of food is going up for people," he said."It is costing more to make donations of food and any resource we get does not go as far as it used to a year ago."There is no light at the end of the tunnel yet. Things are tough but we keep going."Mr Brookhouse said the pressure of raising funds to meet demand "gives me concern" but thanked people for the £5,269 donated so far, which would provide food parcels and essentials for a few weeks."Honestly a part of me feels embarrassed asking for help but I'm always blown away with the generosity here in the city that recognises we can make a difference," he said."I just want to say a heartfelt thank you. "We are working hard and we don't want to be in a position where someone calls for help but we say 'sorry we can't help you'."
BBC News
28-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Free household furniture project launched by Derby charity
A project donating essential furniture and electrical items to people across Derby has been Furniture and Electrical Project (FEP), run by the charity Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance (DF4TA), aims to ensure no household in the city goes without the furniture needed to "live well". Funded by a £46,200 grant from the Severn Trent Community Fund, the project provides items such as beds, cookers, tables and sofas to people, free of forward, DF4TA said it wanted to launch a new electrical testing facility so donated appliances, such as fridges, washing machines and cookers, can be safety checked before they are given out. Paul Brookhouse, senior manager at DF4TA, said: "Now that the project is up and running, we're in a strong position to offer the kind of practical support that can genuinely transform lives."A home isn't just four walls, it's about safety, belonging and having the basics in place to build a better future."DF4TA said the Seven Trent Community Fund supported projects that "improve community wellbeing across people, places and the environment". Ann Mills, FEP coordinator, added: "We know how much impact even the simplest furniture, like every child having a bed, a table for family to gather round to eat and some way to prepare a hot meal, can have when people are trying to rebuild their life."Every bit of support will help us offer practical help to more people across Derby."
