Derby-based project managers, construction cost consultants, and building surveyors, Armsons Barlow have teamed up with engineering consultancy Jackson Purdue Lever to organise a Harvest Festival Food Drive in support of the Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance (DF4T).
The initiative is part of Armsons Barlow’s on-going commitment to the organisation, which they selected as their annual charity earlier this year.
Over the past few weeks, both companies have been collecting essential non-perishable food items for DF4T, which has been a crucial lifeline for those facing food insecurity in the Derby community.
The items have been collected from the local business community as well as other companies in the construction industry from further afield with donations including cereal, tinned soup, rice, pasta, biscuits, tinned fruit, tea, coffee and biscuits.
Originally established as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance has since become a longer-term solution to addressing the root causes of deprivation and poverty in the area.
The charity now supports people in Derby who are experiencing food insecurity, through food provision, signposting, support, and advice. To date, more than 241,868 items have been distributed via the charity’s central storage unit on Ascot Drive in the city.
In May of this year, Armsons Barlow raised £2,700 for the charity at their annual golf day at Kedleston Park Golf Club.
Commenting on the food drive, Josh Toon, Director of Armsons Barlow, said: “Our partnership with Derby Food 4 Thought Alliance is incredibly important to us, and we’ve seen firsthand the difference they make in addressing food insecurity in the city.
“Thanks to Jackson Purdue Lever for joining us on the initiative and all the businesses and individuals who have supported our Harvest Festival Food Drive. We look forward to planning more events in the coming months to support DF4T as well as other local charities.”
Andrew Purdue, Director of Jackson Purdue Lever, added: “DF4T has done fantastic work over the past four years to help tackle food poverty in Derby, and our food drive with Armsons Barlow has been a great way for us to show our support.
“We are proud to support DF4T’s mission and would encourage the business community and the general public to come donate whatever they can to support the charity.”
Paul Brookhouse, Senior Manager at Derby Food 4 Thought, added: “We currently support with around 1800-2000 food parcels a month and spend around £8,000 to £10,000 a month on food to keep our partner food providers stocked up, so donations are needed just as much now as when we launched the charity at the height of the pandemic in 2020.
“Thanks to Armsons Barlow and Jackson Purdue Lever for their support of DF4T, which enables us to continue providing essential support to those people across the city who need it most.”
