All Saints Food Bank

       The food bank at All Saints has been in existence for around 13 years. However it is only in recent times that it has been used extensively. Up till our recent meeting food parcels were given out without asking for any details from the recipients. The food cupboard was replenished by members of the congregation and the food parcels were given out by members of the office staff or the caretaker on occasion. So numbers claiming food parcels were not recorded until now. I have since met with Diane Bennett ,who runs Caring Hands at The Evesham Christian Centre in Bewdley St,who kindly showed me her record keeping and we are now keeping a basic tally of how many food parcels are given out, to whom and for what reason. We will pass on the data to Diane at regular intervals so that her records for Evesham are more comprehensive.

We have recently forged a link with The Cooperative Supermarket in Evesham High St and they are collecting food on our behalf in store and have volunteered to deliver it to church as and when. This has happened fortuitously at the same time that our uptake of food parcels has seen a definite increase. We also have an agreement with Diane at Evesham Christian Centre that they can refer suitable people for showers and this happens from time to time.

 The food parcels are made up and put into bags before they are required and it is estimated that they would last an individual for up to 3 days. We are taking steps to ensure that the food provided is varied and nutritious and provides a balanced diet subject to availability. Some of those who are using the food bank are homeless or sofa surfing, others have had their benefits stopped or reduced, have been referred by other agencies and generally have fallen on hard times. We are doing our best to help them with your support.

Whilst all donations to the food bank are gratefully received, it would be useful if we could provide the following items which are recommended by The Trussell Trust, a charity that runs over 300 foodbanks nationally.

 

•                     Milk (UHT or powdered)

•                     Sugar (500g)

•                     Fruit juice (carton)

•                     Soup

•                     Pasta sauces

•                     Sponge pudding (tinned)

•                     Tomatoes (tinned)

•                     Cereals

•                     Rice Pudding (tinned)

•                     Tea bags/instant coffee

•                     Instant mashed potato

•                     Rice/pasta

•                     Tinned meat/fish

•                     Tinned fruit

•                     Jam

•                     Biscuits or snack bars.

This list is not exhaustive but is helpful if you are thinking what might be useful to give!

Thankyou to all who have supported and do support the food bank here in All Saints. Sadly the need is increasing but by meeting this need as we do we are fulfilling in part our mission in our local community.  

John Webster