Grant Helps With Rising Costs Of Local Foodbank

A Birmingham foodbank has welcomed a grant for £2000 from IM Properties Peddimore Community Fund, as demand for its services has reached record levels.

1200 people visit Bethany Food Bank each month, run by Kevin Warrington and his 12 volunteers who work seven days a week to feed people from its unit on Brookvale Trading Estate.

The grant is from IM Properties’ Peddimore Community Fund set up to create a positive social impact for communities surrounding its Minworth scheme.

Three of IM Properties’ team recently visited Bethany Food Bank to give them a helping hand including social value manager, Kerry Amory, executive assistant, Jess Oseman and marketing assistant, Jess Newton.

Jess Oseman, executive assistant, said it was really rewarding to see the grant in action and how the work she did in the office was being practically applied to help people.

“Spending half a day at the foodbank gave a us a brief insight into the fantastic work that Kevin and his team do. Time and money are what they need most of to help with the day-to-day operations and running of the building.

“I’ve volunteered for quite a few of our social value projects from painting to gardening and I enjoy seeing the massive difference giving up a relatively small amount time makes to people’s lives.”

Bethany foodbank has been in operation for six years now, starting as a social care programme by the church helping 90 people a month. Now with the cost-of-living rises, numbers are escalating and so are their running costs.

One of few foodbanks in the area to have fridges and freezers to provide fresh and frozen food, the costs are between £25,000 and £30,000 annually, which is entirely supported through fundraising, donations and grants.

“The foodbank provides a vital lifeline to the community,” added Kevin. “And there’s not likely to be much improvement being made over the coming months.

“We see many repeat customers, older people and by old I mean people aged 50 plus, who lost their jobs in the pandemic as well as pensioners who are really struggling.

“We also work with local schools and social care agencies who are concerned about children and their families.

“People are very embarrassed when they come to us for the first time, they don’t like to ask and admit they don’t have enough money to even feed themselves.”

Kevin added: “It’s a huge time commitment running the community food bank, but how can you walk away when so many people are dependent on it?

“I was expecting to be enjoying retirement after 27 years working at Land Rover and here I am taking on so much responsibility.

“It’s both rewarding and heart-breaking and we are so very grateful to organisations such as IM Properties who are reaching out to communities to help.”

Further information on the grants available from the Peddimore Fund can be found at https://www.heartofenglandcf.co.uk/peddimore-community-fund.