My Yard, a registered charity based at Grange Farm Community Centre in South Harrow, has secured funding to support Grange Farm Estate and the wider South Harrow community with a food hub which will help those experiencing food poverty in the area.
Food and hygiene poverty are real problems faced by many, particularly heading into the winter and in the run-up to Christmas. In addition the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is hitting those most vulnerable, with many households unable to safely access the fundamental items they need.
With a £5,000 grant from Harrow Giving, Higgins Partnerships is working with My Yard to provide a food storage container, while Stanmore Rotary Club has donated a brand new fridge freezer. Food will be supplied by the Harrow branch of Morrison’s, City Harvest and North London Food Bank Aid.
The project seeks to provide at least one bag of food for anyone who needs it and will work hard to tailor content to the specific needs of the recipients, taking into account dietary requirements or medical needs, or the grocery items the household may be lacking. In return My Yard is asking residents to reduce any waste when wrong items are given out, provide feedback to My Yard and help out in the community.
My Yard is also looking to engage further with the local community to bring people together from a range of ages and backgrounds to support this worthwhile cause. Through the recently designed Young Change Makers programme set up by Higgins and My Yard, it will work to ensure that local people can take up various roles and gain work experience, with the hope of creating paid roles for the 16 plus to apply for over time.
Working together, My Yard and Higgins Partnerships hope to eliminate food poverty and connect communities on Grange Farm Estate and the surrounding areas.
