Grasmere Gingerbread maker donates to food bank in cost of living plea

Every December Grasmere Gingerbread donates money from Christmas mail order sales to charity, with past beneficiaries Shelter and the Samaritans.

“It’s always a difficult decision choosing which organisation to support,” said Andrew Hunter, co-director of Grasmere Gingerbread®.

“But with the cost of living crisis affecting so many of our fellow citizens we felt the Trussell Trust’s UK network of food banks was a priority in 2022.”

Meanwhile, the 168-year-old Lake District business has just given its own full-time employees a £1,000 cost of living bonus (pro-rata for part-time staff).

“As a 4th generation family business we value our team and believe that supporting them during difficult circumstances is part of our wider corporate social responsibility” explained Andrew.

Pertinently, Grasmere Gingerbread® founder Sarah Nelson invented her unique spicy-sweet cross between a biscuit and cake to lift her own family out of poverty in the middle of the 19th century.

She was only granted the tenancy of her Church Cottage home in 1854 - now The Grasmere Gingerbread Shop - because her family was so poor and were desperate for somewhere to live in the village.  

“Yet, throughout her life she helped other people struggling to survive economically and even taught local children the alphabet using large Grasmere Gingerbread® letters covered in horn,” said Andrew.

“Her sense of community and commitment to others informs how we run the business to this day.”

In the run-up to Christmas, selected gift boxes bought by customers through the Grasmere Gingerbread® online shop will trigger a £1 donation to the Trussell Trust.

On all parcels mailed out during the period between the 1st and 23rd of December a 50p donation will be made.

“Customers enjoying food bought from us over the festive period can know that their purchases have made a positive difference to the lives of other people,” added Andrew.

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