Thanks from the Black Country Foodbank

Bishop Martin visited the Black Country Foodbank this week and witnessed the generosity of local people throughout the pandemic.

The foodbank has seen an over 20% rise in people using their service this year, but thanks to donations, they have been able to meet this need, as well as put together Christmas hampers to help those who may be struggling over the festive period.

Jen Coleman, CEO of Black Country Foodbank, and member of Top Church, Dudley, said:

“In my 10 years of working at the foodbank, I’ve never seen it so busy. Throughout the past year, we have seen the enormous generosity of so many different groups with everyone pulling together to ensure we have enough stock. We’ve seen churches collecting donations in car parks, street collections and people donating financially – including children giving us their pocket money! I’d like to thank everyone for their incredible support. It has made a difference to all those who are going through difficult times and need our help.”

By the end of September, the Black Country Foodbank had given out 305,000 meals to individuals and families. People have been able to collect food parcels from the distribution centres and the foodbank has also been working with six churches to deliver parcels directly to those who are self-isolating, the elderly and those who struggle with transport.  This year the foodbank has also put together over 500 hampers to help families over the Christmas holidays.

Bishop Martin said: “It was amazing to go along to the foodbank and see just how hard everyone has been working to ensure people in Dudley have enough to eat in these challenging times. The foodbank team have really gone above and beyond over the last few months and our wonderful community has stepped up to support them. I am proud to be a bishop in the Black Country, where people across the Borough have responded to the call to love their neighbour.”

The Foodbank will be giving out additional items in the run up to Christmas because other support services will be closed. The foodbanks themselves won’t close during the Christmas holidays.

Started in June 2006, the Black Country Foodbank is a Christian-based charitable organisation set up to feed local people experiencing real hardship by meeting their most basic need for food. Local people, churches and other organisations in and around the Black Country have joined together to be part of a project that makes a real difference to the lives of those in crisis.  Find out more at: www.blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk.