The Big Difference food charity ‘overwhelmed’ with £5k donation from ABP to support people of Soton

Associated British Ports (ABP) in Southampton has donated £5000 to a local food bank charity, The Big Difference.

Based in Northam and Woolston, The Big Difference redistributes food to over 100 charities, community groups and schools across Southampton.

It’s also set up a supermarket in the Northam Community Hall to provide food and clothing at cost to the local community.

The charity works with local food suppliers and major supermarket chains in the South that provide low-cost supplies, which are then stored in Northam or Woolston and redistributed or sold in The Big Difference supermarket.

Alastair Welch, regional director for ABP, said: “We’re happy to be able to donate at this time of year to a charity that provides food and clothing at low cost or free of charge to the Southampton community.

“A charity like this has high running costs in terms of rent, fuel and food purchases and therefore relies on support from local businesses.

“We’re pleased to be in a position to help.”

The charity employs a team of four but relies on volunteers to manage the supermarket, collect food and make deliveries.

Dr Sanjay Mall, chief executive of The Big Difference, added: “We’re overwhelmed with the donation from ABP.

“We will put the money towards the charity’s general running costs to continue supporting our local communities.

“I set up the charity four years ago to ensure we can support local people in their time of need.

“That objective remains the same, yet we’ve grown to support even more people across the city.

“As always, we’re keen to do more and are always looking for innovative ways to work with new partners and suppliers.”

• abports.co.uk
• thebigdifference.org.uk