A new partnership brings TBBT's affordable food hubs further into the North East

• Two new hubs open in Northumberland and Sunderland

• Three more locations to be announced

Thanks to a partnership with local housing providers Karbon Homes, Gentoo Group and North Tyneside Council, The Bread and Butter Thing is launching hubs at five new locations across the North East.

The first of the new hubs, funded by Karbon Homes, has opened at Stobhill Community Centre in Morpeth, giving local residents the opportunity to sign up and gain access to an average of £35 worth of items, including fresh fruit and veg, fridge favourites and cupboard staples, for £7.50 a week.

Paul Moralee, Community Investment Manager at Karbon Homes, which is supporting three of the five new hubs with a £75,000 grant, said: “As the cost of everyday essentials like energy and food increases much faster than average incomes, this makes community food projects like The Bread and Butter Thing vital lifelines for our communities.

“We’re proud to have been able to support bringing The Bread and Butter Thing to the Stobhill community and look forward to working with TBBT to bring a further two hubs to communities where residents will really benefit from a helping hand to get through these difficult times.”

Alongside the supply of food provisions, TBBT will be working with local community organisations The Stobhill Link and Calmer Therapy to signpost any members who may need advice to practical solutions with debt, managing utilities, help with housing and more.

Brooke Burgess, Centre Manager at The Stobhill Link, said: “We welcome this opportunity from Karbon Homes to collaborate with Calmer Therapy and be involved in bringing The Bread and Butter Thing to people in Stobhill. The project will offer residents reliable access to affordable, nutritious food and give Stobhill Link the chance to engage with the community and offer to support.

Donna Swan, Founder of Calmer Therapy, said: “The Bread and Butter Thing is an amazing project to come to Stobhill and will help address the increase in demand we’ve seen for food support. We’re going to use the opportunity to turn the centre into a warm hub while our volunteers pack and organise the shopping, giving people the chance to come sit in the warm and grab a cuppa while they wait for their shopping.”

TBBT, which was founded in Manchester in 2016, works with manufacturers, retailers and the hospitality industry to redistribute food surplus to people who need it the most. Its community vans regularly redistribute over 100 tonnes of food a week to almost 80 community locations.

Mark Game, The Bread and Butter Thing Chief Executive said: "I’m delighted to be working in collaboration with Karbon Homes, Gentoo and North Tyneside Council to bring our affordable food clubs to new areas in the region – especially now when rising costs of living are forcing people on low incomes to make stark choices between heating and eating.  

“Our members tell us that over 80% of them have previously had to skip meals to feed their families. By using TBBT, most save at least £25 a week on their food budgets with the added benefits of better quality and a bigger variety of food. This leads to healthier lifestyles and puts money back in people’s pockets. When visiting our hubs, they can also access other support services and a warm welcome.”

The remaining two hubs are being funded by Gentoo Group and North Tyneside Council, with a £25,000 grant each.

The first of these, supported by Gentoo, will open at Pennywell Neighbourhood Centre, in Pennywell Sunderland on Wednesday 9th November.

Susie Thompson, Executive Director of Housing at Gentoo Group said: “Gentoo is deeply concerned about the worsening cost of living crisis and the impact this is having on tenants and residents. These new hubs will make a huge difference to families who are struggling and we’re extremely proud to be part of this project, delivering vital services to residents across the North East at such a challenging time.”  

Cllr Karen Clark, Cabinet Member for Public Health, and Wellbeing at North Tyneside Council, said: “We’re proud to be funding and supporting brilliant initiatives like TBBT to support our residents. We know households across the region are feeling the impact of the rising cost of living and these affordable food hubs help to put vital money back into residents’ pockets to help their budgets stretch further, something that will help hundreds of families. 

How to join The Bread and Butter Thing:

Joining is simple. There are no joining criteria. People interested in using TBBT’s affordable food service need to register as members and should contact TBBT by email at hello@breadandbutterthing.org or text 07860 063304. There is also a sign up form and more information at www.breadandbutterthing.org/contact. Once registered, members receive a weekly text offering the food service which they can then collect for their hub.

Want to help?

The service is reliant on the dedication and enthusiasm of its volunteers, with over 400 people giving their time each week to the charity which won the Queen's Award to Voluntary Service in 2020. Anyone interested in volunteering can find out more and get in touch through TBBT's website www.breadandbutterthing.org.