A new food bank has been set up by two churches in Holbeck to help households in crisis.
The Food Bank has been set up by the Holbeck Christian Fellowship and Mosaic Church. They have been collecting dry goods for some time and are now fully stocked and ready to help. The “food parcel” is more like a weekly shop than a few tins of beans. It’s likely to contain household goods such as washing powder and bin bags as well as food and its tailored to the household it’s going to. The “parcel” is then delivered by a volunteer driver who will add some fresh bread and milk on their way to drop it off.
The first household to receive help had recently changed benefits. Whilst the DWP bureaucracy made the change the family of four were left with no money for ten days. Local youth group Kidz Klub referred the family to Holbeck Food Bank who helped them out.
Karen Blakemore, one of the volunteer organisers explained:
“I’ve seen all sorts of people hit a crisis in their life. It might be redundancy or ill health, but it can spiral out of control. A little bit of help at the right time can help stop that person and their family from sinking.
“We would like to hear from organisations who work in the Holbeck and Beeston Hill areas who might come across people in need – families or single people – and can refer them to us for help.”
You can find full details of the scheme on their website at www.mosaic-church.org.uk/holbeckfoodbank where you can download a referral form and find out how to donate food.
