A YORK-BASED initiative working towards tackling poverty across the city has been nominated for the Best Community Project in The Press Community Pride Awards.

York Foodbank, in Front Street, is dedicated to ensuring people never go hungry, providing emergency food and support to those in crisis.

Manager Caleb Ellwood said: “We are delighted to be nominated and I think it reflects the nature of the food bank, which is run primarily by members of the city.”

Since it was founded last year, frontline care professionals, including doctors, social workers and the police, have been issuing food vouchers to anyone who may be struggling, from those who have been made redundant to those finding it difficult on low incomes.

Mr Ellwood said: “I think that the food bank is essential to some of the most vulnerable people in the city and we have had a hugely positive response from people in York to what we are trying to achieve.”

Those who are given the vouchers receive three days worth of nutritional food, all donated from members of the public.

Meanwhile, a fitness class with a difference has been nominated for the Service With A Smile award for the second year running.

Yumi Mummy Fitness won last year’s award for being York’s only baby-friendly fitness studio offering new mums a chance to get fit again, bringing their babies along.

Owner Jo Cadden, said: “Even after last year it still feels bizarre now. After you’ve just had a child it can be quite lonely and this gets them out of the house and feeling great again.”

Mrs Cadden set up the studio in January 2011 after she experienced a difficult birth with her son and was finding it difficult to get fit again. Classes at the academy, in York Business Park, Nether Poppleton, include a range of activities from antenatal fitness, interval training and Thai boxing for both mum and child.

Lisa Barrett, one parent among many who nominated the academy, said: “Yumi Mummy Fitness has changed my life around and I have met some great new mums, babies and kids. My two-year-old loves going to the classes as much as me.”

Mrs Cadden said she was incredibly moved when hearing the nominations: “It’s absolutely amazing and sometimes when I hear the testimonials they have written it actually makes me cry.”

The Community Pride Awards are held in partnership with City of York Council. The main sponsor is Benenden Health. To make a nomination, visit yorkpress.co.uk/pride