Kendal climate change organisation awarded £20,000 grant

A Kendal climate change organisation has been awarded a £20,000 grant towards their latest project.

South Lakeland Action on Climate Change (SLACC) was awarded the cash from the myLakeland Fund of the Cumbria Community Foundation, towards the development of new premises for its Waste into Wellbeing project.

The organisation currently runs Kendal Community Food Larder at Stricklandgate House and Kendal People’s Café at South Lakes Foyer. Their aim is to streamline its operation onto one site, building a professional catering kitchen to serve the café, process gluts of produce into pre-prepared meals and offer a dedicated training space for learners.

Stacy Hurley, Development Manager for Waste into Wellbeing, said: “We have been looking for a permanent base, which we’ve secured at the old United Reformed Church in Highgate, Kendal. The myLakeland grant will enable us to install a state-of-the-art catering kitchen. It will also house our community cooking project.”

The Waste into Wellbeing project’s goal is to reduce the amount of waste and surplus food generated by the food system, including, wholesalers, hospitality and retailers, in Kendal, and to develop a comprehensive town-wide approach to reduce food waste. The ultimate outcome is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help achieve Zero Carbon Kendal.

Over 100 grants totalling £603,195 were given out to community organisations and individuals at two recent Cumbria Community Foundation grants committee panels.

The money came from funds set up by local people and businesses including Westmorland Ltd, Fibrus and Thomas Graham & Sons.

Annalee Holliday, Head of Grants Practice & Programmes at Cumbria Community Foundation, said: “We are grateful to the generosity of our fundholders to enable us to support these worthy organisations that are working hard during these difficult times to meet local needs.”