Barons Quay Supports Local Foodbank with Donation Window

Barons Quay in Northwich has today unveiled a new piece of art to encourage visitors to donate to Mid Cheshire food bank as part of its Project Happy campaign. 

The window, which has been designed by North West artist Emma Evans, aims to help promote the great work that the charity does locally, as well as to encourage cashless donations via a QR code, featured within the design, that people can scan on their mobile phones and donate directly to a Just Giving page.

 The Mid Cheshire Foodbank was established in 2012. The charity provides nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people. It is part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.

 Catherine Lawton from Mid Cheshire Foodbank said: “We are seeing increasing numbers of local families coming through our doors. Many of them are not on long term benefits and they never anticipated they would need our services. Some have had their hours drastically reduced or have been put on furlough at work and simply can’t make ends meet to afford the basics.

“This problem is not unique to the current pandemic, but our services have obviously been put under extra strain. We are delighted to receive direct cash donations as we use existing relationships with retailers and food suppliers to purchase at heavily discounted rates.  As little as £2 will go a long way to feeding a local family in need.

“Great initiatives like Project Happy and this amazing art installation will help us to gain visibility in our local community and hopefully people will donate whatever they can afford.”

Barons Quay and Cheshire West and Chester Council launched Project Happy in June 2020 to help bring colour and positivity to Northwich during a very difficult time. As well as a community art project, the organisers also wanted to recognise people and charities who helped others during the lockdown period.

Barons Quay Centre Manager, Lina Higuita said: “The final step of the Project Happy campaign is to support the organisations that helped local people during the coronavirus crisis. We are proud to be supporting such a worthwhile cause and we hope that the donation window will raise awareness of the great work that the Mid Cheshire Food Bank does and that people will donate whatever they can to help feed local people who are struggling at this time.

 The window will remain in the centre for the next 12 months. Barons Quay has also donated £100 to the charity.