A Horsham charity has become the first to receive financial support from a new fund set up to help food banks across the south.

Launched in November, Southern Co-op kicked off its Feed a Family Fund with a £5,000 donation so local food banks could start applying for help straightaway.

With customers and members also kindly donating to the fund, it is hoped it will enable many food banks and local groups to purchase essential equipment or cover running costs.

A number of applications for the micro grants of £200 are currently being processed with the first donation going to Horsham Matters, a small local charity in West Sussex.

The group aims to relieve hardship through the provision of essential services (food, fuel and shelter) in order to make a positive, long-lasting impact on people’s lives.

It’s core work is running Horsham District Foodbank in the Horsham District area, which has been critical in the pandemic for providing support to the community.

Holly Bramble, Southern Co-op’s Community and Campaign Co-ordinator, said: “The food bank currently offers a non-contact doorstep delivery service feeding 700 children and adults a month – a massive jump from approximately 260 people a month prior to the pandemic.

“We know Christmas also adds an extra strain on a lot of families which is why we are really pleased to see the micro grant will help Horsham Matters run its school holiday services for families with children who receive free school meals or assessed as at risk of going hungry.

“They will be feeding 350 families through this scheme in the run-up to Christmas.”

The Christmas food parcels contain 20-22kg of long-life food, Christmas treats like mince pies and chocolate, alongside small new gifts for children and adults.

Horsham Matters currently covers the cost of the double-walled boxes which the donations are packed in. The Feed a Family Fund grant will cover the cost of 75 boxes, supporting approximately 300 adults and children.

Paula Daly, Community Fundraiser at Horsham Matters, said: “We are so grateful for the grant. Our Foodbank wasn’t expecting such a large increase in need this Christmas so your grant has been instrumental in helping us to meet the demand and help local families who are struggling.”

Donations to the Feed a Family Fund can be made at the till in a Southern Co-op retail store or via www.neighbourly.com/FeedAFamilyFund. Or visit the website to find out more information about applying for the grants which are being distributed via the online platform Neighbourly.