The East Riding Food Poverty Alliance (ERFPA) is delighted to announce that it has secured £307,197 over three years from The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver its Roads to Resilience project, supporting residents experiencing food poverty and financial hardship across the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Starting on 1 November 2026, the project will bring together local charities, food banks, community pantries and other community organisations to help residents access affordable, nutritious food, independent advice and opportunities to build lasting financial resilience.
Bringing support closer to local communities
The East Riding is a predominantly rural area, with many residents living in villages where access to essential services can be limited. Long travel distances, restricted public transport and the cost of travelling to appointments can make it harder for people to get the help they need. For households already struggling with rising living costs, low incomes or insecure employment, these barriers can make a difficult situation even harder. Roads to Resilience will work through trusted local organisations and community spaces to bring support closer to residents, including those who may otherwise fall through the net.
Jodie Spink, Forward Development Officer at ERFPA, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to receive this support from The National Lottery Community Fund. This funding will allow us to continue developing the Alliance and strengthening the network of organisations working together to tackle food poverty across the East Riding.
Living in a rural area should not mean missing out on the support you need. We know there are residents who fall through the net because services are too far away, transport is limited or they do not know where to turn for help. Roads to Resilience will help us bring support closer to people, through organisations and community spaces they already know and trust.
This is about more than providing food in a crisis. It is about helping people increase their income, reduce their living costs, access affordable and nutritious food, build confidence and develop the financial resilience to move forward.”
What will Roads to Resilience deliver?
The project will build on ERFPA’s existing network of organisations, helping residents access a range of practical support and opportunities.
This will include:
- Independent advice: Support with benefits, debt, housing, energy costs and employment to help households increase their income and reduce essential outgoings.
- Affordable food: Strengthening food banks, community pantries and other affordable food services so residents can access nutritious food.
- Food and cooking skills: Workshops, recipe packs and activities to help people prepare healthy meals on a budget, reduce food waste and make the most of available ingredients.
- Family financial resilience: A savings scheme to help families develop positive saving habits and prepare for unexpected costs.
- Community connection: Welcoming activities that help residents build relationships, improve confidence, reduce isolation and develop new skills.
- Volunteering and skills development: Opportunities for people to contribute to their communities, gain experience and support others.
- Stronger local organisations: Practical support for Alliance members to improve their services, develop partnerships, recruit volunteers and secure sustainable food supplies
Making a difference across the East Riding
ERFPA expects the project to support around 6,000 people each year to achieve one or more positive outcomes. The project will also work towards reducing repeat reliance on emergency food provision for 65% of supported households and helping 90% of people receiving support report reduced financial stress.
By working alongside advice providers, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, the Credit Union, health services and local community organisations, ERFPA aims to make it easier for residents to find the right support at the right time.
Working together to tackle food poverty
Roads to Resilience reflects ERFPA’s belief that tackling food poverty requires more than emergency food provision alone. Residents also need access to advice, affordable food, practical skills and opportunities to build stronger futures. The funding will help the Alliance continue bringing organisations together, sharing knowledge and strengthening the local support network across the East Riding.
We would like to thank The National Lottery Community Fund and everyone who plays the National Lottery for making this work possible.
Together, we can help more people access the support they need to build healthier, more secure and resilient lives.
Find out more
To learn more about the East Riding Food Poverty Alliance and our work to tackle food poverty, visit erfpa.org.uk or follow us on social media.