Families in need helped by Wolverhampton church event

A series of events to help provide struggling families with a meal and household items have drawn to a close.

Councillor Beverley Momenabadi with Ministry Leader of Family Outreach John Raj and volunteers from Excel church

The Excel Church in Bilston has run a summer family meal event each Tuesday over a three-week period, allowing families in need to come in and have a free hot meal, with food donated by members of the church.

Volunteers from the church were on hand to help with cooking and serving food, washing up and assisting people throughout the events.

There was also an opportunity to pick up essential groceries and household items, plus back to school items from Sikh Toys Appeal.

Groceries were available to bag up and take home

John Raj, the Ministry Leader of Family Outreach for Excel Church, said that over 300 people have come through the doors on the three days the event had been running and had been well received by those attending.

He said: "For the families that come in, they're very grateful that they're getting practical support with food and toiletries, especially during the holidays.

"It's been a lifeline for some of those who are really struggling at the moment."

Sikh Toy Appeal ran their own stall on the final day of the event, providing a range of school uniforms, books, back packs and other items for families to pick up.

Being involved in an event like this is part of the spirit of Sikh Toys Appeal, as chairman of trustees Alan Jones explained.

He said: "Our spirit is giving free and new toys and back-to-school items and it's been amazing to be part of this.

"We'd like to be involved in as many events like this as we can. Anything we can be involved with, we'll do so."

Councillor Beverley Momenabadi with Jaz Sidhu and Alan Jones from Sikh Toy Appeal and some of the recipients of the back-to-school items

Excel Church and Sikh Toys Appeal have both received support and help from Beverley Momenabadi, Labour councillor for Ettingshall, who praised the community spirit the events have created.

She said: "You can see families getting together and socialising, with children playing together.

"Sometimes for families, particularly single-parent families, there can be issues around isolation, so it's great to see families getting to know one another and being able to support each other in the community in the future."

Excel Church will be looking to run similar events around every school holiday period.

For more information, go to http://www.excelchurch.org.uk