The demand for food banks is rising. 

As the cost-of-living crisis across the UK continues, more people and families are depending on food banks and donation centres to make ends meet for essential goods. The Black Country Food Bank have expressed their concerns in witnessing an accelerating crisis across the UK, as the need for emergency food has dramatically increased in the last 6 months. This follows a £20 per week cut to Universal Credit payments, increasing pressure on the most in-need households across the UK.

Foodbanks donations have dropped up to 45% yet demand is continually rising.

From 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2022, around 2.1 million parcels were sent out to people facing financial hardship – with more than 830,000 parcels provided for children (The Trussell Trust, 2022). This is a 14% increase compared to the same period in 2019/2020. This is a very concerning statistic, as more and more people are unable to afford essentials to eat, stay warm and clean as the cost-of-living crisis soars.  

We want to help

Last week at Concept, we encouraged our staff to bring in whatever essential goods they can, from food to hygiene products, to donate to the Black Country Food Bank. Doing our bit to support those struggling to make ends meet during these difficult times.

Founded in 2006, BCFB is a Christian-based charity organisation set up to feed local people experiencing real hardship by meeting their most basic need for food. The Black Country Food Bank’s (BCFB) aim is to provide emergency goods to those in crisis; This helps vulnerable individuals and families until a longer-term solution is developed. The services they provide have an enormous impact on the people who use them, releasing pressure at a time of great need. Foodbanks cannot do this without the support of the generous people in the surrounding areas donating whatever they can.

Local people, churches, and other organisations in and around the Black Country are joining together to be part of this project that makes a real difference in the lives of those who need these services. Around 30+ volunteers help to run the BCFB’s central warehouse in Albion Street, Great Bridge and over 100 volunteers work across 21 distribution centres across the Black Country.

Food banks provide more than 2.1 million food parcels to people across the UK in the past year, according to the Trussell Trust 

The BCFB helps anybody who needs support; whether young, old, living alone or with families – from all backgrounds, religious beliefs and ethnic origins, without prejudice. Everyone is treated equally, and there is never a charge for the services they provide.

Food vouchers are also given to local organisations that encounter people in hardship through the BCFB. In addition to emergency food parcels and hot meal vouchers, BCFB also works with ‘Partner Projects’ which are community-focused organisations which provide events such as soup kitchens.

Without the help of volunteers and donors, food banks cannot function. Wherever we can, here at Concept Resourcing we try to support local charities to help those less fortunate, especially in the local area. If you want to help the Black Country Food Bank, donations can be dropped off at:

Black Country Food Bank, Albion Street, Brierley Hill, DY5 3EE (Open Mon-Fri 9am – 2pm)

Food banks are currently facing a shortage of the following items:

• Long life milk
• Fruit juice (long life)
• Tinned tomatoes
• Jars of cooking sauces
• Jars of coffee
• Tinned meat
• Dried packets of pasta and sauce
• Microwavable rice packets
• Breakfast cereals
• Potatoes (tinned/ dried packet mash)
• Shampoo
• Deodorant (roll on)
• Toilet rolls
• Bars of soap
• Toothpaste
• Shower gel

More centres across the Black Country accepting donations can be found here. 

If you want to help by volunteering, click here.

If you need help, visit the BCFB’s website here to find out what they can do for you.