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jakeburnyeat
Dec 11, 20243 min read

Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank awarded £320,000 grant

Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank has been awarded a £320,000 community benefit grant from Heart of England Community Energy, a local community energy enterprise based in Stratford.


This funding will support the Foodbank’s new satellite locations to meet the growing demand for food and services, particularly in underserved areas. Over the next three years, the grant will help the Foodbank establish a more flexible, decentralised model by expanding its geographical reach and adding additional food parcel collection points.

Davina Logan, Chair of Trustees at Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank said:

“We’re delighted with the funding from HECE, it has come at just the right time for us, as we are going through a period of change and development and the grant gives us security and confidence to move forward.” She added, “The expansion of our satellite locations has already proven to be impactful, and this grant will allow us to reach even more people in need. We are deeply grateful for this support.”

The grant will enable the continuation and expansion of the new food distribution points launched in August at Bishopton Community Centre, Meon Vale Village Hall, Escape Arts Heritage Centre, and the Ken Kennett Centre, in addition to the central location in Stratford-upon-Avon. This expansion will reduce the need for clients to travel long distances to access support.


Key elements of the three-year grant include:


  • Funding for the hire of local venues to host satellite distribution points and support services.

  • Funding for a central distribution point in Stratford-upon-Avon.

  • Funding for a dedicated delivery van to enhance efficiency and meet rising demand.

  • Recruitment of part-time staff to manage the expanded operations across multiple locations.



With this expansion, the Foodbank is set to distribute over 5,000 food parcels annually, supporting thousands of local families. Beyond food distribution, the project will also connect individuals with local agencies such as Citizens Advice South Warwickshire to address the root causes of crisis and hardship.


Neal Hounsell, Vice-Chair of Trustees at Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank explained that

"We found HECE to be a very positive organisation to work with on our funding proposal. They share many of our values and the opportunity to develop joined up support services to people with food and fuel poverty issues is one that we are keen to put in place.”

Tony Guy, Director of Heart of England Community Energy, added:

“In these challenging times, Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank is doing fantastic work in our local community to support those who are in need. HECE is proud to financially support its transition to a more accessible service. This funding is crucial in meeting the growing demand for support."

The grant is funded by HECE’s 15MW solar array near Stratford-upon-Avon. Surplus income from the solar farm, after operational costs, is reinvested into community and carbon reduction projects across South Warwickshire.

“It’s incredibly rewarding to use the money earned from selling electricity from our solar farm to help those in need. Projects like this are why we, as volunteer directors, dedicate our time" explained John Stott, Chair of Heart of England Community Energy. He added, “This shows how a local energy model focused on tackling climate change can also address societal injustices and provide real, tangible support to our community.”

For more information about Stratford-upon-Avon Foodbank, please contact:












For more information about Heart of England Community Energy and funding opportunities, please contact:











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