Renewable energy company Drax Group has donated a total of £112,000 through its Community Fund to 33 foodbanks around the world to help them in their important work supporting individuals and families over the Christmas period.

The foodbanks receiving this support serve communities close to Drax sites in England, Scotland, Canada and the USA, providing essential supplies to hundreds of people in these countries who are struggling with the cost of living.

Shona King, Drax Group Head of Community, said:

“Drax has a long history of charitable giving and supporting the communities where we operate. We are on track to donate nearly £3m to good causes during 2023.

“Christmas can be a challenging time of year for individuals and families and it is important that companies do what they can to help people. We hope that these donations will provide much needed support to foodbanks across England, Scotland, Canada and the USA to meet the demand for their services.”

England

A combined total of £32,000 has been donated to foodbanks near Drax sites in England including:

• Bow Food Bank near to Drax’s London head office
• 2 Rivers Community Pantry and Selby Community Fridge close to Drax Power Station in North Yorkshire
• The Hope Centre, Kettering District Foodbank and Weston Favel Centre near Opus Energy in Northampton
• BME Support, St Matthews Church Top Up Shop, Love Ipswich and All Hallows Top Up Shop near to Drax Energy Solutions (DES) in Ipswich

Additionally, nearly 300 festive hampers have been prepared by DES colleagues to be distributed by Love Ipswich to vulnerable people.

Chris Hailey-Norris, Chief Executive of Up for Yorkshire, said:

“Thank you so much for the generous donation from Drax. The funding will enable us to top up the Community Fridge with essential additional food items on a weekly basis.

“The Community Fridge is a lifeline to so many families across Selby District, and a wonderful opportunity to connect people with the other support and services we can provide. Your support means so much to our organisation.”

Scotland

A combined total of £20,000 has been donated to foodbanks near Drax sites in Scotland including:

• Hope Kitchen Oban near to Cruachan Power Station
• View Park Food Bank close to Daldowie Fuel Plant
• Clydesdale Food Bank by Lanark Hydro Scheme
• Stepping Stones by Galloway Hydro Scheme

Catriona Petit, Service Manager at Hope Kitchen Oban, said:

"It was a welcome surprise to receive this money. People we support are finding it particularly difficult this year with the cost of living crisis and so having money that we can use to provide people with food, activities and places to meet and get involved is invaluable.”

Canada

A combined total of £39,000 or $65,000 (CAD) has been donated to foodbanks near Drax sites in Canada including:

• Boys and Girls Club Okanagan Armstrong Food Bank by Armstrong Pellet Mill
• Lake District Family Enhancement Society near to Burns Lake Pellet Mill        
• WEE Community Food Bank  close to Entwistle Pellet Mill
• High Level Native Friendship Centre near High Level Pellet Mill
• Lumby Food Bank near to Lavington Pellet Mill
• Nourish Food Bank close to Meadowbank Pellet Mill           
• Salvation Army close to Drax’s Prince George office
• Princeton Food Bank near to Princeton Pellet Mill
• Salvation Army Bulkley Valley close to Smithers Pellet Mill
• Greater Vancouver Food Bank by Drax’s Vancouver office
• Salvation Army Prince Rupert near to Westview Wood Pellet Terminal
• Salvation Army Williams Lake close to Williams Lake Pellet Plant   

Tamara Robinson, Director of Family Services and Community Outreach at Salvation Army Williams Lake, said:

“On behalf of The Salvation Army Williams Lake I deeply thank Drax for their incredible generosity to our community, supporting us as we serve those in need. It's because of caring hearts like yours that we are able serve in the capacity we do.”

USA

A combined total of £21,000 or $25,000 (USD) has been donated to foodbanks near Drax sites in the USA including:

• Louisiana:
• Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana close to both Drax’s Monroe office and Morehouse BioEnergy 
• Food Bank of Central Louisiana near to LaSalle BioEnergy
• Mississippi:
• Amite River Baptist Association Food Pantry near to Amite BioEnergy
• Alabama:
• West Alabama Food Bank close to Aliceville Pellet Plant
• Demopolis Food Pantry near to Demopolis Pellet Plant
• Arkansas:
• Mainstreet Mission Food Pantry by Russellville Pellet Plant
• Kathy's Closet and Food Pantry near to Leola Pellet Plant

Jean Toth, Executive Director of Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana, said:

“The Food Bank of Northeast Louisiana is grateful for the opportunity to partner with Drax Biomass to provide more nutritious food to our neighbors who face hunger. Thanks to both financial and volunteer support from Drax Biomass, together we are creating a stronger, healthier community.” 

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