Bishop’s praise as food bank manages increase in demand
Members of the public and volunteers have been praised for helping to support a food bank.
The Bishop of Dudley Martin Gorick visited the Black Country Foodbank to see the work being done by volunteers during the Christmas period.
He spoke about the work the team were doing and praised them, as well as thanking the community for their selfless donations during a difficult time.
He said: “It was amazing to go along to the food bank and see just how hard everyone has been working to ensure people in Dudley have enough to eat in these challenging times.
“The food bank 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.”
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.
The food bank has seen a 20 percent rise in people using their service this year, but thanks to donations, it has been able to meet the increased demand.
It has also put together Christmas hampers to help those who may be struggling over the festive period.
Incredible
Jen Coleman, CEO of Black Country Foodbank, said she had never seen the organisation so busy in 10 years of working there.
She said: “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.”
The food bank will be giving out additional items in the run up to Christmas because other support services will be closed.
To find out more, go to blackcountryfoodbank.org.uk.
