Sherburn-in-Elmet Community Larder Awarded £30,000 to Tackle Food Poverty in North Yorkshire

Sherburn-in-Elmet Community Larder is proud to announce it has secured a total of £30,000 in funding to support its mission of alleviating food poverty in Sherburn-in-Elmet and surrounding villages. The funding includes £20,000 from The National Lottery Community Fund and £10,000 from North Yorkshire Council’s Household Support Fund.

Launched in January 2025, the Community Larder is a free, weekly foodbank service operating every Tuesday from Sherburn Methodist Church. It was established by a group of local volunteers in response to a growing need for accessible food support in an area previously underserved by foodbank provision. Before its launch, the nearest foodbanks were located 6–10 miles away in Selby, Knottingley, Tadcaster, and Pontefract—often inaccessible due to limited public transport.

In just six months, the Larder has grown to support 76 households, representing 212 local residents, with numbers expected to rise further in the coming weeks. The service is continuing to support key local communities in Sherburn-in-Elmet, South Milford and Church Fenton.

“This funding is a lifeline for our community,” said Alex Tant-Brown, Founder and Chair of the Trustee Board. “It allows us to continue providing essential support to families and individuals who are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis. We’re deeply grateful to The National Lottery Community Fund and North Yorkshire Council for recognising the importance of our work.”

The Larder is entirely community-led, with a board of trustees and a volunteer pool of 15 local residents, including representation from diverse backgrounds. It works closely with schools, businesses, and community groups, and has already formed partnerships with local organisations such as We Are Sherburn and secured “charity of the year” agreements with several businesses.

“This project was started because of a real and urgent need in our community,” said Matt Burton, Partnership and Fundraising Lead. “This funding will help us grow sustainably, reach more people, and continue building a network of support that’s rooted in compassion, dignity, and local pride.”

For media enquiries, donations, or to get involved:

???? Email: partnerships@sherburninelmetcommunitylarder.co.uk

???? Website: www.sherburninelmetcommunitylarder.co.uk