Thursday 4 December 2014

ELIM CHURCH WARREN ROAD (OSCOTT) FOOD BANK

ELIM CHURCH WARREN ROAD  FOODBANK
Hunger is not just a developing countries problem thousands of miles away. People pass you every day – families, children, the elderly, the vulnerable, the unemployed AND YES IN THIS DAY AND AGE EVEN OSCOTT RESIDENTS.

In Kingstanding (including parts the Oscott area)  many people are living on the edge of poverty. National statistics show that 34% of households in Kingstanding with dependent children have no adult in employment – this is more than double the national average. 31% of adults are claimants of main benefits and 50% have no qualifications.

All it takes is a sudden, unexpected event – a bereavement, illness, redundancy – to throw people into a genuine crisis. This is where the FoodBank can literally be a lifeline to families and individuals who find themselves in this situation.

The Food Bank provides people with the essentials at a time when they need them most, filling the gap of days – or sometimes weeks – before other parts of our social infrastructure can come into play. We collect dried and tinned food through Fareshare, supermarkets, churches, schools and individuals.

Food parcels are made available to local families and individuals sent on referral. Referrals come from registered professionals including doctors, health visitors, church pastoral workers and social workers.

The Food Bank is also able to provide emergency “homeless” packs which include soap, blanket, toothpaste, toilet roll etc. as well as nappies and baby food.

What can you do?

Become a Food Bank depositor - add an item from The Food Bank shopping list – eg. a tin of tuna, a packet of pasta, cup-a-soups, jam etc – when you go shopping. Then deposit it in the local Food Bank collection point at:
Elim Church Kingstanding, Warren Road, B44 8QD
Tuesdays & Thursdays 12noon – 2.00pm


Life Café – Every Tuesday and Thursday, while FoodBank is running, enthusiastic and committed volunteers run our Life Café for FoodBank clients. This is an opportunity to have a nice cuppa, a chat


The Oscott Ward Committee with advise from the Oscott Ward Advisory Board have donated some community Chest Funding to this worth while project which has my full support. With Christmas fast approaching we need to think of those suffering from miss fortune.

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