Call out to Food Banks and Pantries

January can be a draining month for some people, often leading to longer than usual queues at Sandwell Food Banks and Pantries. Together with the ongoing impact of the pandemic, this in turn can have a draining effect on staff, volunteers and supplies at these much-needed hubs.

That’s why we’re throwing a spotlight on this vital service between January 26th and 31st, to not only bring attention to the ongoing need for support from the general public and business sector, but also to celebrate the incredible work they do.

Janine and Sarah at Smethwick Food Bank organise support in the form of three-day food and essentials parcels for 160 nearby households every week. Part of the Trussell Trust and Sandwell Food Banks networks, they prioritise signposting their beneficiaries to services which can help move them on from needing the Food Bank in the future. But that doesn’t alter the fact that they need food…today.

“Some days it’s like a domino effect if our volunteers can’t come in for whatever reason,” said Janine. “One gets ill, then another tests positive, then another has a family crisis – we end up without help and we miss them so much.

“Even if people can’t commit to helping us regularly it would be great to have a few ‘back up’ volunteers we can call in from time to time to help out.”

Our campaign at the end of the month aims to raise awareness of such opportunities, listed on our volunteering web site www.letsgosandwell.info as well as encouraging residents, and businesses, to donate what they can to their local hub.

To promote your opportunities and get involved in the campaign email kim@scvo.info

#HelpFeedSandwell