Urgent appeal to businesses from Blackpool’s Big Food Project

A vital lifeline for 120 foodbanks, schools, community kitchens, crisis services and families across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre is appealing to Lancashire businesses to help save it from closure.

The Big Food Project needs funding to operate its three trucks, warehouse and small team of staff which enables them to provide more than 17,000 meals every week.

It is asking for businesses to be one of its 26 for ‘26 by signing up to one of the following sponsorship categories:

Gold Partner: £5,000+

•  Logo on one of the Big Food Project’s trucks
•  Recognition on the online supporter wall, on social media and in PR
•  Supporter badge for your own social media
•  ‘Thank you’ certificate

Silver Partner: £2,500+

•  Recognition on the online supporter wall, on social media and in PR
• Supporter badge for your own social media
•  ‘Thank you’ certificate

Bronze Partner: £1,000+

•  Supporter badge for your own social media
• ‘Thank you’ certificate

Community Partner: £500+

•   ‘Thank you’ certificate

Claire Powell, Big Food Project chief executive said: "We are the foodbank of foodbanks - the main distributor of surplus and donated food across Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.

"We believe that no child should go hungry and nobody should have to choose between heating and eating - this is happening every single day in our town and we are the lifeline to those experiencing extreme poverty.

“Like many charities, we’re experiencing a tough funding period - but our mission hasn’t changed. We’re determined to keep supporting the incredible network of community organisations that rely on us, and getting food to those in critical need.

“Our work has ripple effects beyond providing immediate relief and we are hoping that with the support of local people and businesses, we can bridge this gap.

“However, without securing vital funding in the next few months to pay for our basic operating costs, it will be difficult to see how we can continue.

“We know the difference our work makes to people every single day,” Claire added. “This appeal isn’t just about saving a charity - it’s about protecting the entire food support network across our area. Every donation helps keep that lifeline alive.”

The Big Food Project has been serving the community for 15 years and provides the following services:

●      The BIG Food Truck: Weekly deliveries of affordable fruit, vegetables and store cupboard items to four community hubs: Layton Methodist Church, Blackpool FC and Claremont First Step Community Centre.

●      Crisis Support: Available to those in immediate need, often identified by front line workers and partner agencies.

●      Foodbanks, schools and community organisations: Deliver surplus and donated food to foodbanks and community kitchens

 Volunteers collect food from multiple locations across the Fylde and beyond; the teams store and sort donations at the charity’s warehouse on the Whitehills Business Park, Blackpool.

 As reported by the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment Blackpool website on 30th October 2025:

●      Blackpool continues to be ranked as the most deprived local authority in England on both the rank and score measures.

●      Ten of the 20 most deprived areas in England are in Blackpool (down from 12 in 2019).

●      Almost two-fifths (38 per cent) of adults in Blackpool are living in one of the 10% most income deprived areas in England.

●      Just over a quarter (26 per cent) of adults in Blackpool are living in one of the 10% most employment deprived areas in England.

●      Blackpool ranks as the 14th most deprived local authority in terms of income deprivation which affects children.

●      Blackpool is the 28th most deprived local authority in terms of income deprivation which affects older adults.

For more information, or to become a sponsor, please contact the Big Food Project on 01253 584342 or [email protected]