OnPath helps serves up community support

A Sunderland-headquartered renewable energy developer is combining fundraising and volunteering to support a local charity tackling food poverty.

OnPath Energy has raised more than £4300 for Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen after naming the organisation as its dedicated English charity for 2025. 

Colleagues took part in a range of activities including raffles, sweepstakes and Easter fundraising, generating £2313, which was boosted to £4313 through the company’s match-funding pledge.

The team has also committed to continuing its support through 2026. 

Alongside fundraising, 11 employees volunteered at the Soup Kitchen’s High Street West base, helping serve meals and spending time with service users. 

OnPath, which is based at Rainton Bridge Business Park, also donated more than 130kg of food to the charity’s “Mack A Meal” initiative and ran a clothing drive to support its Funky G vintage store.

Further fundraising challenges are now being planned, including the National Three Peaks Challenge and Hadrian’s Wall events.

Katie Walvin, one of the OnPath Energy’s volunteers, said: “The Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen team steps up to help people in real need by providing both practical assistance and healthy meals, and we’re extremely pleased to be extending our support to their work with this donation. 

“The time we’ve spent in the kitchen puts our fundraising work into proper context and has enabled us to see at first hand just how much of an impact the Soup Kitchen has on the lives of those that visit.”

Founded in 2019, Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen provides freshly cooked meals to anyone in need and also delivers education and life skills courses through its TriBeCa Community Hub. 

The charity operates without statutory funding and relies on community and business support.

Ashleigh Richardson, revenue and development officer at Sunderland Community Soup Kitchen, added: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone at OnPath Energy for their generosity, commitment and hands-on support throughout 2025.

“The fundraising, food donations and time spent volunteering with our team have made a real difference to the people who rely on our services.

“OnPath Energy is a fantastic organisation with a genuine commitment to community, and we are so thankful that they are extending their support into 2026.

“This continued partnership will help us reach even more people in need across Sunderland.”

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