A volunteer has appreciated all those who donated towards an appeal to help the Blackburn Foodbank. The team donated 287.6kg, over a quarter of a ton of food, to the charity to help those needing items during the cost-of-living crisis; the products included cereal boxes and canned food.
Blackburn Foodbank: A lifeline for families in crisis
Blackburn Foodbank was founded in 2012 by local churches and community groups working together to end hunger. It is an anti-poverty charity working to ensure no one in the UK needs a food bank to survive while providing food and practical support to people without enough money to live on.
“The foodbank was there when we needed it and was an absolute lifeline.”
Today, their goal is simple: to have a future without the need for food banks. They want to use their community’s experiences to challenge the structural issues that lock people in poverty, campaign for change to end the need for food banks in the UK, and provide practical support.
They strive to ensure that every experience with the foodbank is an easy and positive one. According to them, food is donated to local schools, churches, businesses, and individuals who donate non-perishable food, extensive collections often occur during Harvest and Christmas, and their professionals identify people in need.
Global heroes: Everyday bravery: nominations open for £2,000 award
Blackburn Foodbank has over 250 referral partners who identify people in crisis. These professionals include doctors, social workers, housing providers, and police; these agencies refer the identified person or family to the food bank for support.
Small acts creating significant change
Shamraiz Malik said that, as they proudly partner with Blackburn Foodbank, they recognize the immense challenges that food banks and charities face due to budget cuts.
“Now, more than ever, a large part of our community relies on their vital support; this partnership is a powerful way to make a difference through volunteering, donating, or raising awareness. We are committed to supporting the food bank weekly and deeply value the contributions of our teams and their diverse cultures throughout the year.”
Malik sincerely appreciated everyone involved, acknowledging the difference their generosity and dedication have made and that they can create a lasting impact by working together. In January, teams of young people said they wanted to make a difference in their local neighborhood and spent several hours picking up litter in and around Ash Street car park, just off Whalley New Road in Bastwell.
The car park is infamous for people eating takeaway food in their cars and then dumping the used boxes, despite bins being nearby. Malik said they hope to continue doing this as there was a great response previously.
As the Blackburn community continues demonstrating the power of collective action, inspiring initiatives like these catalyze positive change. They echo the impact of organizations like Summerland Charity, which recently donated $630,000 to empower local youth.
This generous donation and the community’s unwavering dedication paint a promising picture of the future of social responsibility and youth empowerment.