THE ELIM LIFE CHURCH FOOD BANK CAN HELP THOSE IN NEED

I still find it difficult to believe that in just 10 years due to a failed austerity policy Oscott now has residents in need of a food bank. When will this shame end.? How lucky we are that the Elim Life Church has volunteers able to help.

For your information

Elim Life Church Food Bank has moved from Warren Road and is now located at 31 Kettlehouse Road, Kingstanding Circle, B44 9JH

Open from 11.30-1.30 pm every Tuesday.

Hunger is not just a developing countries problem thousands of miles away.  People pass you every day – families, children, the vulnerable, the unemployed…

In Kingstanding 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 food bank 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 receive donations of dried and tinned food (also toiletries) mainly from churches, our own church members, schools and local residents.
Food parcels are made available to local families and individuals sent on referral. Referrals come from registered professionals including schools, doctors, health visitors, church pastoral workers, advice centres and social workers.
Food bank can also provide toiletries such as toilet rolls, soap, shower gel and toothpaste as well as nappies and baby food.
Kingstanding Life Café – Every Tuesday, while food bank is running, enthusiastic and committed volunteers run our Life Café for food bank clients.  This is an opportunity for clients to have a hot cup of tea or coffee and some signposting help if needed.  The Café is not restricted to food bank clients and welcomes anyone who is in need of some company to drop in and have a cuppa and chat.  It is important to us to help meet the need of the whole person and to show God’s kindness in many different ways.
Christmas Meal – we are planning to put on a 3-course meal for our food bank clients on 21^st December with a small gift for the family.  Christmas can be a hard time for those in need and so we want to bless them in this way.  Tickets are available from food bank life café.
What can you do?
If you would like to donate food or toiletries to food bank it can be brought to Kettlehouse Road between 11.30 and 1.30 on Tuesdays or deposited in collection points at:-
Tesco Express, Hawthorn Road
Co-Operative, Hawthorne Road
Asda, Perry Barr & Queslett Road

Our food bank is supported by Heart of England Community Foundation.