MAKING Middlesbrough a ‘hunger-free town' is the goal of new funding targeted at those who need it most.

And emergency access to food will be available for the first time at weekends thanks to projects supported by Middlesbrough Council.

Middlesbrough Council's Revenues & Benefits service is allocating a total of £244,000 of government cash to new and existing food-related programmes.

The team have been making contact with residents who have seen a reduction in their working hours or lost their jobs and are now having to claim benefits as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Working alongside a range of partner organisations, they're reaching out to those in need to provide them with crucial financial support for food and other essentials.

And the Council this week announced that Cleveland Fire Brigade have agreed to extend the service to cover emergency weekend food provision.

Residents making contact with the service will receive a food parcel within three hours of the initial call.

Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston worked with officers to fill a gap in support for those in crisis over a weekend.

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