BRADFORD Metropolitan Food Bank marks its 18th anniversary this year, and is busy preparing for another difficult autumn and winter for those in need across the District.
The Food Bank has seen a huge increase in demand for its food bags since it began operating in 2004. In 2017, the Food Bank gave out 11,000 bags via its network of support organisations; so far this year, its team of volunteers has been giving out an average of 370 bags per week. The 2022 total is likely to be in excess of 19,000.
Whilst food donations are gratefully received from individuals and organisations across Bradford, demand means that the food is increasingly bought direct from supermarkets and suppliers.
Long-time supporter, the Kirkgate Shopping Centre, has chosen Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank as one of its charities this year, and is planning to host a launch event to tie in with National Food Bank Day tomorrow (Friday September 2). Shoppers and people from the local community will be encouraged to donate any non-perishable food to its drop-off point in the Centre. Representatives from the Food Bank will also be there.
Food Bank Chairman Graham Walker comments: “Whilst we are proud of everything we have achieved over the past 18 years, it is still sad that we are having to be in operation and that more and more people need our support. Everything we do is only possible with the help of our wonderful volunteers who give their time freely to help others. We couldn’t do it without them.
As the cost of living continues to increase, and fuel costs rise, we are entering another challenging period for those who need us. We are asking the people of Bradford to continue to support us, whether that is by setting up a regular money donation or providing non-perishable food donations through our collection points. We look forward to the day when there isn’t a need for us in the city, but appreciate the continued support as we mark our 18th anniversary.”
* About Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank:
The Food Bank was founded by Lashman Singh. He has volunteered within the food poverty field for many years, and noted that whilst there were a number of smaller organisations that were making and serving food free of charge in Bradford to those who were able to be there at specific times of the day, such services could only reach a minority of people as they tended to be centrally located within the city.
It is widely acknowledged that there were, and still are, many more vulnerable individuals and families within the geographically-large and diverse Metropolitan District of Bradford who are disadvantaged and in need of food, and whose health and wellbeing could be improved by the provision of food when needed within their own local community.
Lashman was joined by a group of people with a similar range of knowledge and experience within the voluntary and statutory sector. Many of the Food Bank committee members were already involved in similar areas of volunteering work with people in need of food, and chose to come together in one organisation in pursuit of consolidating such efforts across the District.
The Food Bank vision has always been about building bridges across communities in Bradford. It is the vision of Bradford Metropolitan Food Bank to establish and facilitate a vital link between those that have surplus food and those that need it, creating a city- and district-wide collection and distribution service.
As demand has grown across the district over the years, the Food Bank has formed strong connections with the other food banks around Bradford and further afield. These links have meant that food can be shared effectively so that it gets to where it is needed most at a particular time. The Food Bank committee also works closely with the Council and contributes to the District’s food poverty strategies.
The Food Bank has always had a multi-faith, multi-ethnic approach, based on the common denominator of ‘giving’ that is shared amongst religions and cultures from all walks of life. It continues to ask people from across the region to give their time, money, skills and spare food; coming together to build bridges across the whole Bradford Metropolitan District.
* For anyone wanting to set up a one-off or regular financial donation, or to find your nearest food collection point, please visit the website at www.bradfordfoodbank.com
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