How TW Drainage Ltd funded 60 school blazers for families already relying on the foodbank

For more than 10 years, Waterlooville Foodbank has supported families who need help with the basics.

Based at Wecock Church and run entirely by volunteers, the foodbank provides free food parcels to people referred by recognised organisations. Its support has grown alongside the needs of the families it serves, with school uniforms becoming another cost that some households simply could not afford.

When the foodbank identified a need for 60 school blazers, it turned to Match My Project to find the support to provide them. TW Drainage Ltd offered to fund the project.

When a school uniform need becomes central

Waterlooville Foodbank already knew the families it was supporting and understood the pressures they were facing.

The rising cost of living had made everyday expenses harder to manage for the low-income families referred to the foodbank. School uniform added another financial burden, with a senior school blazer costing around £40.

For the foodbank, providing a blazer was part of a wider commitment to helping families manage the pressures around them.

The organisation had supported families with school uniform before and had seen the difference it could make. This time, it needed funding for 60 blazers, with the support expected to reach around 37 families in the Waterlooville area.

TW Drainage Ltd steps in

TW Drainage Ltd offered to provide the funding requested.

The company, a drainage and groundwork contractor established in 2009, provides services to businesses and households across London and the Southeast. Through Match My Project, it was able to put its Social Value commitment towards a specific need identified by a community organisation.

The contribution was £2,000 in verified cash donations.

“We were amazed at how streamlined the process was and we are just very thankful for helping us out in such a massive way and has made a huge difference to us and our families.”

The foodbank also described the match as “perfect”, saying the funding covered the branded school clothing it required.

More than a blazer

The project sits within a much wider network of support at Waterlooville Foodbank. Alongside food parcels, the volunteer-run organisation offers support and advice around mental health and helps families facing difficult circumstances access practical assistance.

A school blazer might appear to be a straightforward purchase, but for a household already struggling to afford food, another essential expense can add considerable pressure. The foodbank’s experience supporting these families meant it could identify the need and understand where funding could make a practical difference.

By securing support for the blazers, the foodbank could put its own resources towards the other needs arriving through its referrals.

About Match My Project

Match My Project connects community organisations with local businesses to deliver Social Value. Community organisations post the support they need, businesses can respond to specific local opportunities, and completed projects are verified by the organisations receiving the support.

Get in touch at hello@matchmyproject.org to find out more.