Mr Preston said: "No one in Middlesbrough needs to go hungry and this project will help people in their hour of need.
"People who find themselves in an emergency on a Friday night or Saturday morning with the fridge and cupboards bare are in a drastic situation.
"Through this project, there will be help on hand at weekends when families may otherwise be forced to go without."
Other organisations who will receive further support include Middlesbrough Foodbank, Middlesbrough Together, Middlesbrough Environment City, Middlesbrough Food Partnership and Middlesbrough & Stockton Mind.
Part of the funding will be dedicated to projects focused on longer term solutions, such as courses in food preparation.
And community ‘eco shops' that provide multiple items of low-cost food for a small donation also help to move people away from a dependency on foodbanks.
Mr Preston praised the foodbanks and other projects already operating in the town.
The Council has helped to co-ordinate thousands of meals during the school holidays funded and supplied by local construction firm Applebridge and the MFC Foundation.
Mayor Preston added: "Lots of charities, businesses and volunteers are already doing great things.
"Their hard work combined with this new funding can make Middlesbrough hunger-free for the long term."
- Middlesbrough Council provides emergency food/utilities Monday to Friday. Any Middlesbrough resident in need should call Freephone 0808 1789278.
- Any Middlesbrough resident needing emergency food on a Saturday or Sunday should call or text 07764 413673between 9am and 3pm and the Fire Brigade will deliver a food parcel free of charge.
As part of the service the Fire Brigade will also offer a free ‘safer homes' visit to ensure homes are safe and warm.
- For the latest local updates and information, visit middlesbrough.gov.uk/covid19
For information on local help and support, visit Help Boro at www.middlesbrough.gov.uk/helpboro or call Middlesbrough Council's support line 01642 729777
The latest advice from Government and Public Health England can be found at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
