Joe Anderson has launched ‘The Mayor’s Hope Fund’ to help relieve poverty in Liverpool and to raise money for food banks, with donations being made available via text and Tesco stores.
The Hope Fund came about after the Mayor took a trip to the North Liverpool Foodbank in November and was overwhelmed by the struggles working people of Liverpool are having.
Their foodbank consists of 90 volunteers who give up their own time and energy to help those in need, and can see up to 150 people seeking help each week. Mayor Anderson referred to the North Liverpool Foodbank as a ‘shining example’ of the generosity and good nature that builds the communities in this city.
Due to the economic downturn, changes to the welfare system and the loss of funding to the city, the mayor feels it is critical to support those who are suffering.
Although no estimate has been made regarding the funds due to be raised, a representative of Liverpool City Council told JMU Journalism: “No target has been set, but the mayor has kick- started it with a donation of £25,000 from the city.”
In November 2012, The Mayor gave £50,000 of city council grant funding to foodbanks, but through the Mayor’s Hope Fund, he intends to make regular contributions from the donations and provide an opportunity for Liverpool residents to give their support to the cause.
Mayor Anderson wrote on the Liverpool Labour website: “I am equally saddened and proud that places such as the North Liverpool Foodbanks exist.
“The work that they continue to do, on a voluntarily basis, should not be forgotten. I have created the Hope Fund to help formalise contributions to foodbanks using one charity. I urge the residents of this city to support this cause and help the suffering people in Liverpool get through this difficult time.”
The Mayor has teamed up with Tesco so that people are able to donate money at the till as well as donating by text, so from today, Tesco stores will allow any shopper in a Liverpool store the opportunity to contribute via the till-giving scheme. However, to make a text donation, you can send LMHF14 and your donation, using the £ symbol, to 70070.The representative from Liverpool City Council added: “The Hope Fund is a long term initiative. The Tesco till giving scheme is initially for a six-week period but we would hope it would continue after this.”
For more information go to https://themayorshopefund.org.uk/ or follow @Mayorshopefund on Twitter.