THE council has allocated funding for a pilot scheme to loan out equipment and utensils to foodbank users in Furness.

Members of Furness Locality Board for Westmorland and Furness Council allocated £12,850 in funding from the Department for Work and Pensions to Barrow Foodbank for a borrow scheme to provide foodbank users with the correct equipment and utensils to cook with.

The report prepared for the meeting says: “Foodbank users who access the foodbank and then provided with food staples do not always have the correct equipment and utensils to cook with. The cost of gas or electric is also a factor.

“The proposal is to pilot a Foodbank Borrow Scheme to users of the Foodbank who cannot afford to purchase small appliances and utensils. These will be loaned out and then returned after a period of time. The electrical items due to safety will be retained by the user.”

According to the report, the funds will go towards:

  • 50 x instant pot duo electric pressure cooker
  • 50 x stove top pressure cooker at £35 each
  • 50 x electric slow cooker
  • 50 x air fryer
  • 100 x utensil
  • 100 x set of 3 pans

Members of the locality board allocated the funds on August 21 at Barrow Town Hall.