OTLEY 2030 and Otley Action for Older People will continue to work together to run their free fruit and veg box scheme in 2022.

Otley 2030 began the deliveries in December 2020 in response to the pandemic and particularly to a rise in the numbers of children living in food poverty. The partnership is planning to continue to make deliveries every school holiday for as long as necessary.

A spokesperson said: “The hardship caused by Covid19, which prompted us to set up the scheme last year, still continues for many individuals and families in Otley. The ongoing pandemic is still causing massive financial problems, fuel price rises are having a disastrous impact on household incomes, and once again people working in many sectors in the town are facing an uncertain employment future. The brilliant Otley Food Bank are having to deliver more and more parcels, so we need to play our part too.”

The scheme delivers free fruit and vegetable boxes to about 130 households in every school holiday. Roughly half of the households delivered to are families with school-aged children, 35 per cent are elderly or disabled people and 15 per cent are vulnerable adults living on very low incomes.

Otley Action for Older People manages referrals to the scheme, via schools, social care agencies and charities, and Otley 2030 manages the fundraising through its justgiving.com page and direct donations from local businesses. Otley Food Bank gives support and Otley Rotary Club, Buon Apps, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose and Like Nana Did are all contributors to the scheme. Logistical support, time, advice and donations are all provided by Simon and Becky’s market stall and shop, without whom the scheme could not operate. Each delivery costs between £800 and £1,000.

Bridge Street Church provides its premises for free on delivery days and the church is opened the day before so that volunteers can store the vegetable crates ready for packing. Whenever possible the packing - carried out by a team of committed volunteers - takes place outside in the car park to avoid social mixing. Volunteers deliver 20 rounds of boxes across Otley.

A volunteer said: “The fruit and veg arrive on the wholesalers’ wagon at around 5.30 am - Becky gives us a call to say it’s on its way, and Matt, from Simon and Becky’s comes on the van to help with unloading and cutting the plastic wrapping off the pallets. Seeing those huge piles of lovely fruit and vegetables, all in absolutely top condition, stacked up outside the church so early in the morning, ready to go out to struggling families, really is a beautiful sight”

Otley 2030 and Otley Action for Older People are grateful to all the many Otley people, businesses and charities that make the scheme possible. Shannon Coles, one of the organisers, said: “When it comes to hardship, we all know that it’s a ‘there but for fortune’ situation - it could happen to any of us. It’s lovely to know that the people of Otley can be relied upon to show so much care and concern for each other.’

Go to: https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/otleyvegbox to donate funds towards to the next delivery. The JustGiving page reflects the total amount donated since it’s set-up date, and not the project’s existing balance, which is usually much lower.

Visit www.otley2030.com or email hello@otley2030.com to find out more about the group's work.