Southampton City Mission (SCM), an independent, Christian organisation that provides emergency food and clothes to those in need in Southampton, has received further funding from the Barker-Mill Foundation (BMF) to the sum of £34,000. This will cover SCM’s warehouse space costs for the next three years and follows previous donations from the BMF totalling over £25,000.
The charity has been active in the city for over 50 years and has continued to see high demand for its emergency food and clothing services. It’s warehouse space is a vital part of being able to run operations efficiently to meet those in need.
Chris Davis MBE, City Missioner at Southampton City Mission said: “With rents increasing in the Southampton area due to market conditions resulting from demand for warehousing, securing further funding for this significant part of our costs will go a long way to making our work sustainable.
“We’re extremely grateful for a further donation from the Barker-Mill Foundation to secure our warehouse space for the next three years. Without the facility it’s hard to conceive how we could run the project effectively and efficiently.”
In 2018 the charity through its five food banks and a clothing bank, provided five days’ worth of food to people in need in excess of 10,200 times and clothed 1,364 people. The warehouse is the charities hub where a small team of staff and around 100 dedicated volunteers receive, check, store and distribute food. It also houses SCM’s offices and vans.
Tim Jobling, Trustee at the Barker-Mill Foundation said: “We’re pleased to offer our continued support to Southampton City Mission, they provide an invaluable service to those in need across Southampton.
“It’s hard to imagine what those in need would do without the support provided by the dedicated staff and volunteers of this brilliant charity.”
If you’d like to find out more about SCM or make a donation visit: www.southamptoncitymission.co.uk