Earlier this year, the West Berks Foodbank became a reality. For some time in the background a number of volunteers from both Newbury and Thatcham worked together with The Trussell Trust to set up a Foodbank in this area. It was not long before Hungerford joined the team as well which is why now it covers West Berkshire.
Our church agreed that we would be a foodbank collection centre – it had been discussed at Pilgrims the previous Autumn but we waited for more information to come through first. On the 23rd March at Newbury Baptist Church the West Berks Foodbank was commissioned and the ecumenical service was led by many including Lord George Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury.
Thank you all for continually filling the crates. In the last 10 weeks, 3 collections from our 2 crates have been delivered to the Warehouse. The shopping list has mainly tinned and long life items and occasionally we are asked to promote certain items to collect in order the keep food parcels of the nutritional standard required.
Collection is only one part of the process. What is extremely important is that the Thatcham distribution centre at Thatcham Baptist Church regularly sees clients in real food crisis and we are able to give them three days of emergency food. The professional agency referrers issue the vouchers – volunteers do not make the decision about who receives help. But it is the volunteers who can help signpost the clients to different agencies or whatever for help with the basic problem. It is an opportunity for them to talk and for the volunteers to listen and give practical help in setting up appointments for the clients if necessary. There are many who are living in very difficult circumstances for all sorts of different reasons including the widening gap between earned income and rising prices.
There are two parts to the Foodbank. They are both giving and receiving. The gifts can come from us – the food – if we are able to donate but also the knowledge that the Foodbank is there for people to access if they need it. But the other gift – receiving – is knowing that you are helping perhaps your neighbour not to go hungry, and give them help for the basic difficulty they are in.
More information and shopping lists are available in the front hall on the notice board.
Many thanks for all your gifts and support.
Our church agreed that we would be a foodbank collection centre – it had been discussed at Pilgrims the previous Autumn but we waited for more information to come through first. On the 23rd March at Newbury Baptist Church the West Berks Foodbank was commissioned and the ecumenical service was led by many including Lord George Carey, the former Archbishop of Canterbury.
Thank you all for continually filling the crates. In the last 10 weeks, 3 collections from our 2 crates have been delivered to the Warehouse. The shopping list has mainly tinned and long life items and occasionally we are asked to promote certain items to collect in order the keep food parcels of the nutritional standard required.
Collection is only one part of the process. What is extremely important is that the Thatcham distribution centre at Thatcham Baptist Church regularly sees clients in real food crisis and we are able to give them three days of emergency food. The professional agency referrers issue the vouchers – volunteers do not make the decision about who receives help. But it is the volunteers who can help signpost the clients to different agencies or whatever for help with the basic problem. It is an opportunity for them to talk and for the volunteers to listen and give practical help in setting up appointments for the clients if necessary. There are many who are living in very difficult circumstances for all sorts of different reasons including the widening gap between earned income and rising prices.
There are two parts to the Foodbank. They are both giving and receiving. The gifts can come from us – the food – if we are able to donate but also the knowledge that the Foodbank is there for people to access if they need it. But the other gift – receiving – is knowing that you are helping perhaps your neighbour not to go hungry, and give them help for the basic difficulty they are in.
More information and shopping lists are available in the front hall on the notice board.
Many thanks for all your gifts and support.