Skip to main content

Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank

An article in the March Link stated that, after April, the foodbank operated by the Light Church will limit its service to postcodes which extend into the centre of Bradford.  However, there is a food bank which provides food bags for the whole of the Bradford district and surrounding areas. The following is an account of this bank; I am indebted to Keith Thomson, a member of the committee, for this information.

Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank is the original food bank in Bradford. It opened in 2004, as an extension of the Curry Project for rough sleepers, started by Lashman Singh. It provides food bags for the whole of the Bradford district and collects food from the same area.

It is non-sectarian, supporting people of all faiths and none, and the volunteers are from all sections of the diverse Bradford community. The main committee, the original seven and up to fifty volunteers are just that. We are all volunteers and no-one is paid.

We never see the people and families that tuck into our food bags, as we only deal with the professionals who support those at risk and the vulnerable. The organisations we supply number over one hundred and include social service departments, housing associations and housing officers, the national health service, community centres, child care providers and many others.

Our food bags are available seven days a week during non-sleeping hours, that is, as the need arises.

Eighty per cent of the food in our bags is donated by individuals, schools, places of worship (all faiths), places of work, Age UK shops, convenience stores and collections from customers at supermarkets by our volunteers. The September Harvest Festivals, Vaisakhi and Eid celebrations are our times of plenty.

The remaining twenty percent of our food is purchased from local supermarkets who give us the lowest price they can. Last year we spent £20,000 on food and our income, donations from firms, individuals, schools, and charity events just kept pace with our needs.
8
In 2004, we distributed 300 bags; by 2010 it was 1,000; 2011 - 1,500; 2012 - 3,500 and 2013 - 7,850. Last year, our food bags contained £100,000 worth of food.

Jim Jennings (Little Lane)              

[Editors’ note: We apologise to the Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank, for the wrong impression given in the March edition of The Link, that people in the outer postcodes of Bradford will have nowhere to go to get food after 31 March.
As this article clearly describes, the Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank will be accessible to them. It is doing, and has been doing, wonderful work for a number of years. Long may they continue.
We are grateful to Dr Jim Jennings for setting the record straight.]

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Soupermums! Wilsden Trinity Church

Do you have a young baby? Looking for something to do? If the answer is yes then Soupermums is for you. We're here from 11 until 1 every Monday, Mums (and dads) have a rest and the babies can play. Have a lovely sit down whilst you sip on a brew. Enjoy having someone else make lunch for you! Come along to Wilsden Church, meet the rest of the group. Lovely ladies cuddle the babies, whilst you eat your soup. Chat with the mums, new friends you will make. Swap tips and advice over a slice or two of cake. So what are you waiting for? come on along, For homemade treats, good company and if you're lucky a song. We're looking forward to meeting you, please come take a peek, 11-1 at Wilsden Trinity, we're here every week! Celine V  (a Soupermum!) Where can new mums go, to have lunch where it’s warm and safe and you get to eat fresh soup and homemade cakes, while someone holds your baby? Too big an ask? Not at Wilsden Trinity! Every Mond...

May message from the Ministry Team

Dear friends One of the ‘deep wells’ that replenishes my spirituality is the practice of ‘Lectio Divina’ which is an ancient method for praying with the Bible. It literally means ‘divine reading’, or ‘reading in a godly kind of way’. We rush about so much these days and practising the discipline of a slower reading of the Bible to allow it to speak to us is an integral aspect of Lectio Divina. If you want to try it yourself, read slowly a short passage of text that you have decided upon in advance, letting your awareness rest in turn upon each word. As you read, be alert for any particular word or phrase that draws your attention in a special way. Then meditate on this word or phrase, allowing it to engage you fully. Does the word connect with some aspect of your own experience? As you hold this in your heart, let yourself become aware of any answering words, images, or memories that arise in you. Then finally respond through prayer to the word you have heard, simply and directl...