Pubs in and around Dudley will take part in a national fundraising drive this month, with 5p from every pint of Carling sold at participating sites earmarked for local food banks.
How the campaign works in Dudley and the West Midlands
The fundraiser is organised by Proper Pubs, the community arm of Admiral Taverns, in partnership with Carling-brewers Molson Coors. Proper Pubs operates venues in Redditch, Dudley and Stourbridge, meaning contributions from sales in those pubs will benefit food aid organisations serving local communities across the West Midlands.
More than 200 pubs across England, Scotland and Wales are taking part in the annual Heroes of Hunger appeal during September. At the end of the month, money raised through Carling sales will be donated to local food banks in areas served by participating pubs. Operators are also being asked to organise food collection drives and allow customers to donate essential items throughout September.
- Donation per pint: 5p from each Carling pint sold during September.
- Participating venues: 200+ pubs across England, Scotland and Wales, including Proper Pubs sites in the West Midlands.
- Last year’s impact: More than £15,000 raised and food collected to feed about 1,300 people for a week.
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Donation per pint | 5p |
| Participating pubs | 200+ |
| Funds raised last year | £15,000+ |
| People fed (one week) | 1,300 |
Community role of pubs during cost-of-living pressures
Proper Pubs said the campaign is being run at a time when many households continue to face financial strain. The company referenced research indicating that almost one in eight UK households were affected by food insecurity, as tracked by the Food Foundation in June.
“This support remains crucial during a challenging time for many people across the UK as cost-of-living pressures continue to impact many families and individuals.”
The comment came from Nathan Wall, managing director of Proper Pubs, who said the company views food-bank support as central to its community work and that the 2026 campaign builds on last year’s efforts.
Operators with local experience of combining hospitality and welfare work welcomed the scheme. Tina Wood, who runs the Ashmore Inn in Wolverhampton, described how she has operated a food bank from the pub since taking charge, saying the venue is more than a place to drink.
“The Ashmore has never just been about serving pints. It is a place where people can walk in as strangers, leave as friends and come back as family.”
Rachel Evans, on-trade sales director at Molson Coors, said the initiative highlights the potential for pubs to act as hubs for support in their communities.
What this means for Dudley residents
For Dudley residents, the campaign offers two immediate opportunities: a small, automatic contribution to local food banks when buying Carling at participating pubs, and the chance to donate non-perishable items directly if pubs in the area run collection drives. With Proper Pubs’ presence in Dudley, the scheme should channel funds and food to neighbourhood organisations tackling hunger and hardship.
While 5p per pint may appear modest, organisers point to the cumulative effect when added to cash and food collections. Last year’s appeal raised more than £15,000 and collected sufficient foodstuffs to provide a week’s food to some 1,300 people – a result Proper Pubs said it hopes to match or exceed this September.
Local councils, charities and volunteer groups monitoring food insecurity will be watching whether the increased activity in pubs translates into meaningful extra support for those most in need in Dudley and the wider West Midlands.
Readers who wish to take part can ask their local Proper Pubs venue whether it is signed up to the Heroes of Hunger campaign and whether it is running a food collection point during September.
