Working with Somerset Waste Partnership and Frome Town Council, Fair Frome has successfully bid for a new grant from The Distributor Take-Back Service (DTS).
Fair Frome provides services for people in acute need in Frome and already runs the Food Bank and Furniture Bank in the town.
Both the Food and Furniture Banks receive referrals from those organisations in Frome who work closely with people in need and provide the advice and support they require. These organisations then can refer people to Fair Frome for free food top-ups or free recycled furniture.
The grant from DTS, which is offered for one year, will allow the Furniture Bank to expand its busy services which have already benefited almost a hundred people in its first six months of operation. The scheme currently receives donations of furniture and kitchen equipment. The new grant will enable the scheme to expand and include white goods such as fridges, freezers, cookers and other electrical items ,which may have been discarded. All donated items will be professionally tested and made fit for use, by a local electrician.
Bob Ashford chair of trustees of Fair Frome said,
“Whilst Frome on the surface appears an affluent town, there are many people who are struggling to make ends meet. One of the challenges they face is to provide the basic equipment for their homes which many of us take for granted. The early success of the Furniture Bank demonstrates that this need exists.
“The support from Somerset Waste Partnership and Frome Town Council in obtaining this grant is extremely welcome and will enable us to provide the essential equipment needed to fully equip homes, whilst at the same time making a valuable contribution to improving the environment by extending the life of products.”
A spokesperson for Somerset Waste Partnership said, “It’s a shame when working electrical items are taken to the local recycling site, rather than being given a new home. Large appliances are difficult to transport in the average family car, so it’s great that Fair Frome Furniture Bank can offer some collections of reusable appliances, to pass on to local people who would otherwise struggle to have these essential items.”
If you wish to make a donation of furniture or electrical items please contact Victoria Gale at Fair Frome on 07718 652991
