MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE BY SUPPORTING OUR LOCAL FOOD-BANKS THIS ECCLES GIVING DAY

Eccles Councillors and local MP Rebecca Long Bailey, have joined forces with the wonderful members of the Monton Village Community Association (MVCA) this morning (Saturday 15th July), their goal is to collect food and other essentials to donate to local food banks and homeless shelters as part of Eccles Giving Day.

Any donations will be greatly received, they will be collecting food items, fresh as well as tinned/dried, but also toiletries, especially women's sanitary products.

The group of volunteers have a stall on the car park of Morrisson's supermarket in Eccles from 10.00am onwards and every item donated will make a difference, no matter how big or small.

The community has already donated six shopping trolleys full of food and toiletries, which goes to show just how generous and compassionate our local community is.

Councillors August, McCusker and Tetteh will also be on hand at our VIP (Very Important Pensioners) Winter Warmer this 23rd of November, as they have volunteered to help out and have been instrumental in securing the location and helping with fundraising.

So if you are heading that way and you can help, please pop over to see them and help fill a trolley.

It's a tragic that in this day and age we still have countless Salfordian's across the city who are forced to seek the help of foodbanks to make ends meet.

Both Tony and I have unfortunately seen first hand the plight of the growing numbers of everyday people who are finding themselves on the wrong side of the poverty line, not that there is a right side.

The most shocking trend we have found is the continual rise of working families who are struggling to stay afloat in this cost of living crisis. It is affecting everyone and most people in this country are just a few steps away from falling into the poverty trap.

In May 2022 it was announced that 22% of children in Salford are living below the poverty line and that number has increased, not decreased.

The ward with the highest child poverty rate is Ordsall ward where 32% of all children are living in poverty, which is ridiculous when you consider the wealth the area generated over the years as a major part of the industrial revolution. It reminds me of the old saying, the rich get richer...

Additionally the data suggests that up to 15% of Salford residents are currently experiencing fuel poverty with upwards of 9% of people in the borough struggling with food insecurity.

As the UK’s cost of living crisis deepens, more and more people – including children – are finding it difficult to make ends meet.

It is a shocking state of affairs and this should not be the case when considering the position and wealth of the country as a whole.