Feed Winter Formula Fund 2023

FUND NOW CLOSED

The Feed Winter Formula Fund was a one-off, standalone scheme providing grants of up to £250 for registered charity organisations supporting formula feeding low income families who may be having difficulties with costs.

Funds were restricted for use in providing cash or grocery vouchers to allow families to buy formula, or for the direct provision of infant formula.

The Winter Formula Fund was made possible by the fundraising efforts of Simon Harris, and the generosity of the people who donated to his Go Fund Me appeal. Simon allocated a portion of the money he has raised to Feed for the purpose of distribution to eligible organisations via our Winter Formula Fund.

Key Dates:

Applications closed: Wednesday 10th January 2024

Applicants will be notified of the outcome by Friday 19th January 2024, following an eligibility check and review. If you have any questions or queries, please contact us.

Following allocation of the funds, Feed will publish a financial report here on our website. We will also be able to use the data generously provided by recipients of he awards to publish an impact report in the Spring.

Conditions of award

Grant recipients agreed:

  • to use the funds for the provision of cash or grocery vouchers for the purpose of buying infant formula, or for the direct provision of formula to families struggling with costs,

  • to give permission, where appropriate, to have their contact details entered into Feed’s food and baby bank finder map,

  • to have their name and the amount received published in Feed’s financial report; and

  • to provide feedback on the impact of the award by completing a short survey on receipt of, and shortly after using the funds.

Impact of Winter Formula Fund

Results

We had a total of 93 applications, of which 92 met the eligibility criteria. 

  • 22 Food Banks

  • 36 Baby Banks

  • 35 other including other food charitable organisations, community centres, family support centres, and specialist third sector bodies such as women’s aid and asylum seeker aid

“We have a weekly dropin for asylum seekers and refugees (mostly the former) We are open to any in Ealing. Of course most are living on £45 a week and formula is really expensive. Some of our mums breastfeed and we will be having a support counsellor in to help there. But some are anxious, stressed, badly nourished themselves and need formula. A few do both.”

Trustee, Third sector Organisation, Ealing  

“We have a diverse community, including people who are seeking asylum. The majority of the families we see are either on a low income or in receipt of benefits and the cost of living crisis has exacerbated food insecurity for all of those accessing our services. With the Feed Winter Formula Fund we are aiming to work with the Infant Feeding Teams to be able to distribute stage 1 formula to families. We will also provide a wraparound service of discussing safe formula feeding and the Advice and Information Officer can support them to look at ways of cost saving to ensure their money is going as far as possible and also that they are receiving all the financial support they are entitled to.”

Community Pastor, Baby Bank, Stockton-on-Tees

“The baby bank supports families by supplying baby equipment, clothes, bedding as well as formula and food. More and more referrals are coming through to us due the increase in the cost of living. Thank you Feeduk for helping us to help those families in need.”

Food & Baby Bank Fundraiser, Telford 

“This past year has been particularly hard for many of the families we work due to the ongoing cost of living crisis, with as prices have increased across the board. We often get requests from the families who access [us] or from families and professionals to our [infant] project for formula. Families are struggling to purchase this essential basic need for their baby. Having this funding through Feed UK will enable us to support so many families.”

Programme Manager, Family Support Chairty, Glasgow 

“We often get asked milk formula but cannot normally provide it due to lack of funds. This grant will enable us to provide in immediate term.”

Finance Officer, Children’s Support Charity, Plymouth