Fewer vulnerable people across the region will go hungry thanks to the opening of a new food distribution hub in Ipswich.

Ipswich Star: FareShare East Anglia is launching in Ipswich. Picture: GREGG BROWNFareShare East Anglia is launching in Ipswich. Picture: GREGG BROWN

FareShare East Anglia will officially launch in the town today with the aim of supplying hundreds of local charities with in-date food that would have otherwise gone to waste.

The charities then turn these supplies into meals for their services users.

FareShare East Anglian has already been operating on a pilot basis since last summer and is helping nearly 800 people a week.

Mayor of Ipswich Sarah Barber will be among the guests at the grand opening today, which was made possible through a £500,000 donation by the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation as part of its ‘Fill Your Tank’ programme.

Ipswich Star: Food charity Fareshare launched in Ipswich. Left to right, Michael Barrett (Development Manager) and Khaled Shahbo (Enterprise MD). Picture: GREGG BROWNFood charity Fareshare launched in Ipswich. Left to right, Michael Barrett (Development Manager) and Khaled Shahbo (Enterprise MD). Picture: GREGG BROWN

The rental firm, which has two branches in Ipswich, made the pledge to The Global FoodBanking Network, which then provided the funds to FareShare.

Michael Barrett, development manager for FareShare East Anglia, said: “I am so proud to be a part of such a fantastic operation and can’t thank Enterprise Rent-A-Car and The Global FoodBanking Network enough for making it possible and for being here today to mark the official launch.”

One charity already benefiting from the new scheme is Nacro Ipswich, a charity for disadvantaged young people and adults.

Senior trainer Nancy Sinclair said: “People can’t learn or focus when they are hungry. Getting FareShare food delivered means that fewer disadvantaged young people are going without meals and can focus upon their learning.”

Khaled Shahbo, managing director of Enterprise Rent-A-Car for the UK and Ireland, said: “We consider it a privilege to work with FareShare to help charities like Nacro Ipswich, whose work is invaluable in helping vulnerable people.

“Fighting hunger may not seem like the most obvious initiative for a rental car business to support, but with 8.4 million people struggling to afford a meal in the UK alone, food insecurity is not just a global issue, but a very local one. And this is just one way that we can help those communities where we operate.”

Charities or community groups interested in receiving food from FareShare East Anglia can visit the organisation’s website.