The Parish of S. Margaret, Hollinwood & S. Chad, Limeside

 

~A Worshipping Community, Sharing God's Love With Everyone~

 

 

S. Margaret’s Church, Chapel Road, Hollinwood, Oldham. OL8 4QQ

 

Registered Charity No. 1134150

The Oldham Foodbank

 

Jesus said “what you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine you did to me”.

 

13 million people live below the poverty line in the UK.

 

Every day people in the UK go hungry for reasons   ranging from redundancy to receiving an unexpected bill on a low income. Trussell Trust foodbanks (www.trusselltrust.org.uk) provide a  minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis in the UK. Last year our UK foodbank network fed over 60,000 people experiencing food poverty.

 

We partner with churches and communities to open new foodbanks nationwide. With over 100 foodbanks currently launched, our goal is for every town to have one.

 

Foodbanks help prevent crime, housing loss, family breakdown and mental health problems. A simple box of food makes a big difference.

 

All food is donated by the public and sorted by volunteers. Frontline care professionals such as doctors and social workers identify people in crisis and issue a food voucher. Clients receive three days of nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food in exchange for their food voucher. Foodbanks also make time to chat and to signpost clients to other helpful services.

 

Hunger is not just a third world problem. Today people across the UK will struggle to feed   themselves and their families. Redundancy, illness, benefit delay, domestic violence, debt, family breakdown and paying for heating during winter are just some of the reasons why people go hungry.

 

What’s in a foodbox?

Each foodbox contains a minimum of three days nutritionally balanced, non-perishable food.

 

Foodbanks rely on the support of local communities.

 

Following discussions with the Trussell Trust we have now become a member of the Foodbank Network and will be known as the Oldham Foodbank. We will be growing this project and inviting support from other churches, schools and the wider community.

 

The Foodbank will continue to be led by S. Margaret's and until we find suitable local premises will operate from here. In the coming months we will be looking for volunteers to help collect food at the local supermarkets, sort food make up food parcels and help run a café. Volunteering can be for regular help or for special events such as collections. Support and training will be given by the Trussell Trust for all volunteers.

 

 

We still need your help

How?

All we ask is that each week when you do your shopping, you buy ONE item on the list below and bring it to church. There is a box at the back to leave it in.  Make a deposit - you never know when you may need to make a withdrawal!