FEEDING THE COMMUNITY – THE BETTER BANKS Foodbanks have unfortunately come to be a necessary part of today’s society with ever more people becoming reliant on them. In the current crisis they are more important than ever and increasing numbers have sprung up to fill the void left as other parts of social care and food deliveries struggle to catch up with demand. Donations have fluctuated massively, with an initial dearth as hoarders stockpiled for imminent lockdown followed by record donations from businesses - restaurants, canteens and cafes, that were not going to open during lockdown. The Birmingham University Students Union Shop kindly donated all their perishable stock. This was obviously a one-off and now food banks are again reliant on the generosity of supporters, largely the public, for their donations of food, money and time. Clothes, toiletries, nappies and baby food, and now PPE (gloves, masks etc.) are also valued contributions.
funded and service the needy through a voucher referral scheme. Clients can be referred by different agencies, such as the job centre, Citizens Advice, children’s centres and health visitors - check their websites: birminghamcentral.foodbank.org.uk; sparkhill.foodbank.org.uk and www.facebook. com/Acocks-Green-Foodbank for details and opening times. Donations can also be dropped off at, and online shops can be shipped directly to: B30 Foodbank Warehouse, Unit 17, Castle Road, Kings Norton Business Park, B30 3HZ (Tuesdays and Fridays 14.00 -16.00). Food can be dropped off at the following places: Balsall Heath Church Centre, 100 Mary Street, Balsall Heath, B12 9JU (Tuesday/Wednesday/ Thursday 9am – 14.00), Sainsbury’s Kings Heath (08.00-20.00), Co-Op buidling Stirchley (08.00- 22.00),Co-Op Cotteridge (08.00 – 21.00), Co-Op Dads Lane (07.00-22.00), Co-Op Vicarage Road (07.00-21.00), Lloyds Bank Cotteridge (when the bank is open) and Cotteridge Church (when the church is open).
There are various types of food banks serving the varied needs of their clients: The Trussell group food banks such as Birmingham Central Foodbank, Sparkhill Foodbank, and Acocks Green Foodbank are part-government-
Let's Feed Brum (https://www.facebook. com/letsfeedbrum/) run a soup kitchen for the homeless which is temporarily closed due to Covid. However, they are now managing the feeding and housing of rough sleepers moved into hostels and hotels whilst isolation is in operation. They are not accepting food donations directly but are partners to The Active Wellbeing Society theaws.co.uk, an 12
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