Video: Tens of thousands turning to this food bank for help over winter

The amount of people relying on food banks to make ends meet appears to be rapidly rising. In fact last year it is estimated that around 2.5 million people in the United Kingdom used a food bank.

Digbeth based Feedo Needo has been experiencing unprecedented demands on its services and has already helped more than 50,000 people across the country, with a doctor and teachers among its clients seeking help.

BirminghamWorld went along to meet the Feedo Needo team and to find out how they are coping with the high demand which is set to continue throughout winter.

‘We’re doing as much as we can to help the homeless’

Akila Sharif of Team Feedo Needo said: “Right well this morning we’ve held a coffee morning. Obviously the season coming near to Christmas, we’re trying every day to try and do as much as we can for the homeless project. Daily, everyday, we are providing meals for our homeless. Before the COVID we were giving hot meals, which was lovely.

“We were able to give them lots of hot food. But with the rules and regulations, it’s mainly sandwiches, drinks, fruits. That’s Monday to Friday, but on a Friday, we try to give food bags so for the weekend the homeless have got what they need. We’re open to the community. It’s very diverse. Anybody who needs any products from personal hygiene to dry foods for the weekend, but daily sandwiches, drinks, please come and join us. We’re in the heart of Birmingham, we’re in Digbeth.

“Over the years I’ve worked with this organisation actively. Before the COVID we were out on the streets, giving them the food bags, sleeping bags, hats, scarves and gloves in the winter. We’ve worked with the NHS, I’ve gone out and given them the support during the difficult time in COVID, helping the staff, I don’t think we stop anywhere. So we’re doing what we can for our homeless project at the moment.”

‘We have a lot of volunteers who help’

Alysha Razaq, Assistant Project Manager for Feedo Needo said: “So we’ve been up and running since 2006. We’ve been in this cafeteria since 2019. We used to serve hot meals to the homeless - due to the pandemic we’ve stopped that - so we give them on a daily basis like sandwiches, tea, coffee as many times as they like. This Christmas period obviously we give like food hampers to them. Christmas boxes, we have lots of volunteers that come out on a Friday to help us.”

‘The work that these guys do is unbelievable’

Tanveer Choudhary, Former Councillor, said: “It’s unbelievable what places like this are doing, especially Feedo Needo and all the other charities that are helping the homeless, helping the needy - especially with all the issues of mental health that that are occurring, sort of the social and domestic abuse that’s taking place through coronavirus and so forth. I mean, the work that these guys do is unbelievable and it goes unnoticed and it’s high time that people and the community realise the amount of good work that’s being done here. And anybody can help should come out to help

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