Local Business Supports Food Poverty Initiative

Inspired by a social media video, donations collected by the Loughborough Martial Arts Education Centre and local businesses, over the Harvest Festival period have benefitted families all over Charnwood.

The Martial Arts Centre, which is based on Granby Street in Loughborough, provides training and lessons in a variety of martial arts including Boxing, Tae Kwon Do and MMA.

The Martial Arts Centre encouraged local businesses and between them collated over 30 bags of long-life food items, tinned goods and toiletries, creating an impressive haul of food parcels for the Charnwood Food Poverty Group (CFPG).

Led by The Bridge (East Midlands), the CFPG is a partnership of 32 local community-based organisations, benefitting the Borough of Charnwood by co-ordinating a more accessible, consistent and nutritionally balanced approach to tackling food poverty.

Dispersed between some of the member organisations of the CFPG, including the Shepshed Food Bank, the donations made by the Martial Arts Centre have supported dozens of individuals and families locally.

Food poverty is rising nationally and within the East Midlands the number of households relying on food banks is increasing year on year. During September and October of 2019, the CFPG has helped over 780 individuals and families.

Richard Moon, owner of, and head coach at, the Loughborough Martial Arts Education Centre, commented on their Harvest Festival success:

“I uploaded a video to social media and the response was phenomenal. I had local businesses getting in touch wanting to help and all the families I teach within my martial arts centre contributed to the cause. Within a couple of weeks, I started to struggle with storing the food because I had that much! There are some great people out there and I just want to say thank you to everyone who responded to the video and contributed to the cause. 

"It’s unfortunate in today’s world we still need the use for food banks, but the reality is people in our local community are really struggling. So once again a huge thank you to everyone who supported the collection and in return you have put a smile on someone’s face.”

Clare Fillingham, Customer Services and Quality Manager at The Bridge and member of the CFPG added:

“We really appreciate this social media appeal run by Loughborough Martial Arts Education Centre and local businesses. Food poverty is an issue that we can all relate to, as we understand how essential nutritious food is to uphold physical and mental wellbeing. There is currently a real need for appropriate donations and related services for members of our community who are experiencing food poverty. 

"Thank you to the local community for showing care and support for others with the food donations that have been provided.”

Pictured: Paul Snape, Head of Business Services at The Bridge (East Midlands) collecting food donations from Richard Moon, business owner.