Frome-based charity Fair Frome, which was established five years ago to fill a gap in current provision, has been successfully running projects aimed at providing support for those on low incomes and in financial crisis.
Amongst other projects, they run the local Food Bank and Furniture Bank. In response to calls from schools and others, they have recently started school holiday lunches (Holiday Hunger) and term time (Food at Five) projects providing hot meals to people on benefits and others. They also support individuals and families with other basic needs and offer practical support to try to ensure children aren’t excluded from activities because of the lack of basic equipment etc. In doing all this the charity work closely with other local charitable organisations and agencies to ensure their work is focused and joined up with their approach.
Chair of trustees, Bob Ashford said, “Whilst Fair Frome receive welcome financial support from the town council and others, and our work is supported by our very willing group of volunteers, we raise most of our funding ourselves through collections and donations etc.
“At the moment though we are under extreme pressures on our services. Whilst Frome is a relatively prosperous place, there are nevertheless still pockets of extreme need. For instance, the Food Bank demand has risen by over 50% in the past year and has been on a sharply rising trajectory since we began. Whilst this means we need more food, you will appreciate the additional infrastructure needs this presents us with. Our new projects which have already seen a large take up are also proving invaluable to many families, but need further funding.
“This is why we are seeking the support of local businesses. We believe the work we do is of value to the whole community (including the business sector) in making Frome a place where everyone is given the means and support to prosper and make a contribution to our town. “
There are already several dynamic and successful local businesses, such as Bistro Lotte, that recognise the benefits to their own business of supporting Fair Frome.
Lotty Evans from Bistro Lotte said, “Since we opened in February 2018, the support from the community of Frome has been overwhelming and it has been great to be a part of Fair Frome’s projects. I think that it is very important that within the ethos of our business is a sense of collective responsibility and to try when possible to give something back to the community of Frome.”
Fair Frome is inviting all members of the business community in Frome to come for coffee and croissants at their Business Open Morning on Thursday 13th June at the Fair Frome centre, behind the Town Hall, to appreciate what Fair Frome is all about, as well as see for themselves how a busy Food Bank works. They will also have the opportunity of speaking to other Frome businesses that already support or are thinking of supporting Fair Frome.
Alternatively, if you would like to talk through privately how and where you think your business can help Fair Frome, you can contact Fair Frome coordinators Wendy Miller Williams or Lenka Grimes on 01373 488578 or e mail: info@fairfrome.org
