22-07-2025
Event supports more than 21,000 people with kitchen essentials
A social enterprise has launched a new campaign to tackle food, fuel and kitchen poverty.
Cracking Good Food hosted its seventh Kitchen Kit Redistribution Event at Bolton Arena on July 16, marking the first time the scheme has come to the town.
The event saw 1,848kg of used kitchen equipment redistributed to 46 community organisations, supporting more than 21,000 people across Greater Manchester.
The event saw 1,848kg of used kitchen equipment redistributed to 46 community organisations (Image: Phil Taylor)
Kate Ainsworth, marketing and business outreach manager at Cracking Good Food, said: "To see Bolton's community come out in full force to support those most in need has been humbling and heartwarming.
"There's a real sense of pride here – and I'm so proud we could bring this campaign home."
The Kitchen Kit scheme supports individuals, including foodbank users, care leavers, veterans, refugees, those experiencing homelessness, and people fleeing domestic abuse.
Ehinor and Juliana from Wonderfully Made Woman, a Bolton-based charity supporting women and girls, said the event would help them serve more than 100 people with hot meals that evening.
Ehinor said: "We support women and girls, and In His Image supports young African boys.
"This is the first time we have attended this event and it definitely will not be the last.
"Thank you for this fantastic cause.
"As you can see we have around five bags full of items; we really need as much kitchen equipment as we can get – thank you."
The Kitchen Kit scheme supports individuals, including foodbank users and veterans (Image: Phil Taylor)
The event brings the campaign's total impact to more than 11.35 tonnes of kitchen equipment redistributed, supporting in excess of 44,000 people in less than three years.
The environmental impact is substantial as well, with more than 112 tonnes of embodied carbon emissions saved by diverting items from landfills.
Cracking Good Food volunteer Zel said: "These events are making a real impact on people's lives.
"By helping out at such an organised event, I know I'm an extension of that impact.
"This is definitely our most successful KKC event so far.
"We told organisations, 'take anything and everything you need' – and they didn't hold back.
"We've been virtually left with nothing, which is fantastic.
"It means everything went to the people who need it most."
People at the Kitchen Kit Redistribution Event (Image: Phil Taylor)
The event was made possible through partnerships with organisations including Bolton Wanderers in the Community, Manchester Metropolitan University, and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service.
Tracey Torley, CEO of Cracking Good Food, said: "All our partners and supporters are instrumental in the logistics for this event.
"Our funders, Recycle for Greater Manchester, and venue provider Bolton Arena have also played a huge role.
"But most of all, it's our volunteers – their loyalty never falters.
"Every event, they return with energy and care.
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"Without our funders, kit donors, a dedicated compassionate team and volunteers, these events – and Cracking Good Food itself – simply wouldn't exist."
Despite the success, this year's donations were lower than in previous years, with groups receiving just 25 per cent of the needed electrical items.
To address this, Cracking Good Food has launched a permanent Kitchen Kit Shop at its hub in Longsight, allowing organisations to collect equipment year-round.
