Helping East Riding Residents Move from Crisis to Stability
The East Riding Food Poverty Alliance (ERFPA) is proud to offer a new General Advisor service available across all 15 ERFPA member food banks and pantries. This initiative has been funded by Feeding Britain through their Pathways From Poverty project and delivered in partnership with the Cherry Tree Advice Centre.
Our aim is simple:
to ensure that anyone using a food bank or pantry can access high-quality advice and support, right where they are.
What the General Advisor Does
The General Advisor provides free, confidential, face-to-face support to people experiencing financial hardship. This includes guidance on:
- Benefits and income
- Debt advice and budgeting support
- Housing issues and homelessness prevention
- Utilities, bills and energy concerns
- General guidance and signposting to specialist services
By offering advice in-house, we remove the burden of travelling to distant support services — which can often be up to 8 miles away for many residents.
Why This Service Matters
Food banks provide immediate relief, but we also want to help households build financial security and independence. The General Advisor service focuses on:
✔ Income Maximisation
Ensuring people are receiving the financial support they are entitled to.
✔ Tackling the Root Causes of Food Poverty
Addressing issues such as benefit delays, low income, debt, and housing problems.
✔ Reducing Reliance on Emergency Food
Helping households move from crisis into long-term stability.
This holistic approach ensures residents are supported not only with food, but with the tools and advice they need to improve their situation.
A Partnership Making a Difference
This project is made possible through collaboration between:
- Feeding Britain – Funders of the Pathways From Poverty initiative
- Cherry Tree Advice Centre – Employers of the General Advisor
- ERFPA Member Organisations – Community food banks and pantries providing local access
Together, we are building a more supportive, accessible and sustainable network of help for people across the East Riding.
