Foodbanks and community groups providing essential food support to residents in Boston are being encouraged to apply for a new grant programme designed to help them continue their vital work.
The Asda Foundation is launching its new Foodbank Fundamentals Fund on 8 September, offering grants of up to £1,000 to organisations whose main purpose is distributing food and tackling food poverty in their local communities.
The initiative comes as many households continue to feel the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, with demand for the services of foodbanks, community pantries, social supermarkets, soup kitchens and breakfast clubs remaining high across the country.
Asda Foundation, the independent charitable foundation supported by Asda, is committed to helping communities thrive by addressing local challenges and supporting organisations that make a real difference to people’s lives. Through the Foodbank Fundamentals Fund, the Asda Foundation hopes to provide practical support to groups that are often working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure vulnerable individuals and families have access to food and other essentials.
The funding can be used in a variety of ways, helping organisations who already offer a regular food provision for those in need as part of their core service, to meet both everyday and longer-term needs. Grants may be used to purchase food, including baby food and other items for young children, as well as basic hygiene products for those experiencing hardship. Funding can also be put towards white goods, storage solutions, fittings and equipment that help groups operate more effectively and reach more people.
For many organisations, the grant could prove invaluable. It might allow a foodbank to stock up on essential items during periods when donations are lower than usual, enable a community pantry to invest in equipment that increases capacity, or help cover fuel costs for volunteers delivering food parcels to people who are isolated or unable to travel.
Across Lincolnshire communities, local food support organisations play a crucial role in ensuring that people facing financial difficulties have somewhere to turn. Many of these groups rely heavily on volunteers and charitable donations while also coping with rising running costs and increasing demand for their services. The Foodbank Fundamentals Fund has been created to help ease some of those pressures and strengthen the support available to local residents.
Stephen Bromby, Community Champion at Boston’s Asda store, said: “Foodbanks and local food organisations are a vital support network for some of the most vulnerable people in our communities, especially during difficult times. We recognise the immense pressure they face balancing rising demand with limited donations and volunteer support.
“Through this Asda Foundation funding, we hope to provide meaningful assistance and help them continue their essential work as we approach the end of the year. These organisations make a huge difference every day, and we’re proud to support them as they continue helping local people when they need it most.”
The Foodbank Fundamentals Fund forms part of the Asda Foundation’s ongoing commitment to investing in community projects and helping local groups deliver support where it is needed most.
Applications for the fund will open at 10am on Tuesday 8 September and are scheduled to close at 10am on Tuesday 22 September. However, community groups are encouraged to apply promptly, as the application window may close earlier if the number of applications exceeds the available funding budget.
Full details about the fund, including eligibility criteria, will be available from Tuesday 8th September at www.asdafoundation.org. Eligible organisations will be able to register and complete their application through the Asda Foundation’s grant management system, SmartSimple, by selecting “Boston” as their closest Asda superstore with a Community Champion. Applicants will also need to provide supporting documents, including governing documents, safeguarding policies and proof of cheque payee name.
With a total funding pot of £700,000 available, the Foundation hopes the scheme will help local food organisations continue supporting those who need them most and strengthen the communities they serve.
However, groups who have successfully received Asda Foundation funding in 2026 will not be eligible to apply for this fund.
