Foodbank tapping into the generosity of spirit
The goal of a new foodbank in the centre of a Black Country town is to go beyond just providing food.
The new Humanity First foodbank is set to open in the Saddlers Centre in Walsall and has set out a plan to provide help to some of the most impoverished communities in the country.
The foodbank is the second in the country by Humanity First, an international multi-sector Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) working to help people across the UK and other countries in Europe and Africa.
Dr Azher Siddiq, an ENT surgeon at Burton Hospital, is managing the project and explained why the foodbank, which follows Mirfield in Yorkshire, was being opened in Walsall.
He said: “I’m Walsall born and bred and have lived here all my life and I’ve seen what’s happened to the town over the last few years, with pockets of the town where people are suffering with food poverty.
"I just thought I wanted to do something to help my local community and do something to make a difference in where I lived.
"Helping many charities in Walsall over many years including my local food banks, I realised there was an unmet need and decided as a charity to rise to the challenge and help.
“I also see this place as a regional hub for Humanity First and a place where we can have drop in sessions for blood tests and advice sessions and other services.”
Dr Siddiq has been a volunteer charity worker for more than 15 years with Humanity First, also serving in Africa.
He said the food bank would be open for five days a week and would operate an open referral policy, taking in referrals through Walsall Council, but also welcoming in people who walk through the doors needing help.
The foodbank will offer the basic essentials needed to feed a family and will be staffed by volunteers, with support from Walsall Council and other stakeholders.
He said the location was good as it made the food bank more visible to those needing help and to people looking to volunteer their time to help.
He said: “We are deeply indebted to the many volunteers who have given many hours of their time to help plan this new initiative.
"The Covid crisis has left us all as a society impacted, however I have seen a great zeal and passion in the people of Walsall to come together to help their fellow residents at this time.”