## Food Bank Support Service at Risk of Closure
A vital support service connected to Coventry’s food bank is in imminent danger of being shut down due to a lack of funding. The **Pathfinder project**, initiated three years ago as an extension of the city’s main food bank, has become crucial in addressing the underlying causes that drive individuals to seek food assistance. Yet, with the funding set to expire at the end of next month, the financial sustainability of this service is in jeopardy.
The significance of *Coventry Foodbank’s Pathfinder project* cannot be overstated. The project, led by project manager **Hugh McNeill**, aims to go beyond merely providing sustenance to confronting the root issues that lead to food insecurity. “It’s great to give people food to support them when they’re hungry,” McNeill stated, expressing the project’s fundamental ethos. However, he emphasized that while food provision is critical, identifying the factors that lead individuals to seek food assistance is equally essential for offering effective support.
Current estimates indicate that approximately **£40,000** is required to keep the Pathfinder project operational over the next two years. As noted by McNeill, the available funds are close to being depleted, casting a shadow on the future of the initiative. This impending risk has alarmed stakeholders involved with the project, prompting urgent appeals for help from various sectors of the community.
The project has generated substantial engagement, with over **3,500 individuals** receiving assistance since its inception. Volunteers like **Susan Rees**, who balances her time between managing a hair and beauty salon and assisting with Pathfinder every Wednesday, are committed to finding solutions amidst the mounting funding challenges. She highlighted that although Pathfinder may face closure, alternatives could still be explored, such as seeking additional grants or referring clients to resources like **Citizens Advice**.
While the Pathfinder project grapples with financial instability, the main food bank itself is also experiencing a notable decline in donations. McNeill remarked that typically, this time of year yields a surplus of stock, but the current economic climate exacerbated by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis has significantly impacted food contributions. Individuals and businesses that usually provide donations find themselves constrained by their financial situations, underlining the pressing nature of the crisis.
In a passionate plea, McNeill called upon community members, local businesses, and organizations to consider supporting the food bank and the Pathfinder initiative. “If there’s an organisation or a business, or even an individual, that would like to support us in the work that we’re doing here at Foodbank and through the Pathfinder project, we’d really really appreciate it,” he stated. This declaration of urgency underscores the intertwined fates of community support and the sustainability of food provision services.
The escalating situation surrounding Coventry’s food bank and the Pathfinder project serves as a reflection of broader social issues faced by many. High levels of unemployment and rising living costs have created a pressing need for food assistance and related social support services across communities, making it imperative for both public and private entities to play a role in alleviating these challenges.
In conclusion, the potential closure of the Pathfinder project would not only affect its dedicated volunteers but would also limit critical assistance available to families and individuals in crisis. Local efforts to rally support for this important service highlight the ongoing fight against food insecurity and the pressing need for community resilience in the face of economic hardships. If you wish to follow the developments or lend your support, you can stay updated via platforms like **BBC Coventry & Warwickshire** on social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
