UNITY TRUST BANK ANNOUNCES CHARITY PARTNERSHIP WITH FARESHARE

Unity Trust Bank has announced a charity partnership with FareShare, to help tackle hunger and food waste throughout the UK.

Over 2 million tonnes of food is wasted across the UK’s food industry every year. Whilst, up to 10 million people, including 2 million children, are in food security*. FareShare's mission is that no good food is wasted, with them redistributing the food industry surplus to people who need it most.

Unity Trust Bank’s employees have chosen FareShare to be the Bank’s new charity partner until December 2023 to offer additional support to communities during the current cost of living crisis. The charity partnership has seen Unity Trust Bank employees set a £30,000 fundraising target, which will also be match-funded by Unity Trust Bank.

The money raised by the bank will help get good-to-eat surplus food, which would go to waste, to a volunteer-led network of almost 9,500 charities and community groups across the UK.

Unity Trust Bank is a socially determined business bank that helps organisations to prosper and contribute toward positive economic, social, and environmental change. The partnership with FareShare forms part of Unity’s charity proposition, which seeks to align with organisations that share similar values.

Deborah Hazell, CEO of Unity Trust Bank, said: ‘We are proud to support charities and organisations directly tackling societal issues across the UK. For this partnership, these charities are not just foodbanks as they also provide wraparound services for people who are often vulnerable and struggling with issues, such as unemployment and low income, debt, homelessness, loneliness and dependency.

“Food poverty is a rising problem, affecting an increasing number of people, alongside food waste and the associated environmental impact. As a team, we wanted to offer our support to help FareShare address these issues and continue this important work.”

Marie Travers, Head of Fundraising at FareShare charity, commented: “We are excited to be Unity Trust Bank’s Charity of the Year, helping us fight hunger and tackle food waste.

“Thanks to our incredible partners, like Unity Trust Bank, we can support vulnerable communities across the UK with the equivalent of two and a half million meals every week. We look forward to raising vital funds and working together.”

The fundraising provided by Unity Trust Bank will help support FareShare’s corporate volunteers to sort, pack and deliver food to frontline charities — feeding those most in need.