Birmingham food bank sees drop in donations while more people seek help

Every Wednesday a food bank provides parcels to dozens of people at the historic St. John’s Church in Sparkhill.

The multi-ethnic church in the heart of Birmingham’s Balti Triangle is home to a diverse population, which includes refugees and asylum seekers. Last week, the Trussell Trust food bank in Sparkhill gave out food packs to 116 people. The food bank, which is part of a larger organisation, gave out food for 402 people last week in total at all their satellite centres.

They have seen a 43% increase in food bank clients since last year due to the cost of living crisis, said David Wiseman, Change and Process Lead at Narthex - a financial advise charity working with the trust.

The trust also offers money advice such as how to claim benefits, plan finances, and handle debt. “The benefits system is not easy to navigate,” he says. People can face weeks-long wait after applying for benefits and in the mean time, the food bank bridges the gap.

However, there are other gaps through which people fall through at times. The trust issues food packs to those who were referred to them by referral agencies to minimise fraud.

Sometimes, they have had to close early or didn’t have enough groceries to give out - which is when the church steps in and gives away what they have in store. “We send them away with something but there is a limit to what we can do,” said David.

There has been a drop in donations as people across the board are facing the pinch because of soaring energy bills and rise in food prices, he said. The Trust is now looking to corporate partners, like Greggs. Two Greggs - one in Yardley and another in Acocks Green - send their excess food, which lasts a few days.

The trust has centres in multiple locations like Balsall Health, Hall Green, Stetchford, Tyseley, and they even provide parcels based on dietary requirements as well as toys, clothes, books, and financial advice from Narthex.

One financial advisor from Narthex, Balkar, said he’s recently faced success in helping a child receive disability payments. There were hiccups in the process and they had to appeal multiple times to get the amount the child is entitled to.

The trust has older clients as well who have been dealing with historical debt. In some cases, disability or mental health issues stops them from keeping a job.

One support worker, Emma Louis, of Miracle Housing Ltd., said she was there to collect packages for three of her clients. One of them was evicted from supported housing and used whatever money she had to hire a van to move her things leaving her with no money for food. Another was incarcarated and is not able to support himself by going out to buy things.

“People think they are lazy, but that’s not true. They could be victims of financial abuse and sometimes, victims of their circumstances,” said Emma. She added that she works 24/7 and treats her clients like family. Though, this job isn’t for everyone, she says, as one of her colleagues had to leave being unable to cope with the mental stress that comes with the job.

David said that it is shocking that UK - the 6th largest economy in the world - is facing victorian levels of poverty and food insecurity. “We want to negate the need to have a food bank,” he said.

But, until that can happen, charities are stepping up to provide multiple facilities like Trussell Trust - who help in community engagement, teach English - which is crucial to get a job, and provide holistic support.

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