Milton Keynes charity reaches £1 million raised during pandemic

The Milton Keynes Community Foundation announced today (March 31) it has raised £1 million for 124 local charities during the pandemic.

Just over a year ago, on March 20, 2020, an appeal was launched to raise money, with contributions coming from individuals and local businesses.

One of the charities to benefit greatly from this cause was the food bank in Milton Keynes. Louisa Hobbs, operations manager at MK Food Bank said in a statement on the charity's website: "The sudden onset of the pandemic meant there was a huge increase in demand for MK Food Bank’s emergency food support. Immediate, emergency funding from MK Community Foundation was a real lifeline – with initial food costs of up to £50k per month, we were able to meet that demand and get food to anyone who needed it.

"Since the start of 2021, more people are contacting us for the first time, for many reasons related directly or indirectly to COVID. Ongoing support from the Community Foundation ensures we always have enough food for anyone who needs it, as well as funds for the essential costs to process, store and distribute the parcels.”

The Community Foundation supports local people who are working to make a real difference to vulnerable, isolated and disadvantaged people in the borough. Putting an emphasis on awarding grants to smaller, lesser-known charities and groups alongside supporting well-known charities.

The response appeal was started with a £50,000 donation by the Milton Keynes Council.

Ian Revell, CEO of MK Community Foundation, added: “We are completely blown away by the support of our local community over the past year. Thanks to the generous donations of businesses and individuals, we have been able to ensure the most vulnerable people of Milton Keynes have been supported throughout the pandemic. I am so proud of the team for their incredible efforts to raise and distribute such a substantial amount of money so efficiently. I am thankful for the support of our Trustees and Vice Presidents and I am inspired by the hard work and dedication of our local charities and groups. Thank you times a million.”