The rise in food and energy bill prices has left a strain on many households, even those who would have never otherwise needed additional support. In the last year alone, 3% of families resorted to the support of a food bank – that is more than 2.1 million people!
Statistics show that even teachers, NHS staff and pensioners have had to seek help amid this cost of living crisis and the increased demand is causing a strain on food banks nationwide.
The Universal Church has perceived the growing need for our food bank and soup kitchen and therefore aims to make this support accessible to as many people as possible across the UK.
This year, we opened the Food Bank project in our churches in Liverpool and Belfast and we aim to continue spreading this work to wherever we have a Universal Church. Since starting this work during lockdown, we now have a food bank in 16 locations in the UK, taking place every Saturday from 11am to 1pm.
Every week, 200 of our volunteers help to make this project possible and roughly 2,300 benefit from this food project every Saturday. The help you will receive from one of our food banks ranges from cold sandwiches, snacks and groceries to hot meals and hot drinks, not forgetting toiletries and other essentials.
By visiting one of our food banks, you will be received with a smile and friendly chat! If you need spiritual support, a Pastor will always be available to assist you – simply ask one of our volunteers!
Furthermore, taking place in Finsbury Park, the Well-being Cafe will be running between 9am to 12pm. This is a safe and friendly space, with light snacks and hot drinks available as well as a volunteer ready to offer a listening ear.
Whether you are feeling alone, going through a hardship or simply need a friendly chat in a warm environment and free of judgment, then give our Well-being cafe a visit!
Our volunteers look forward to receiving you this Saturday in one of our food banks. If you would like to find out whether your local Universal Church has a food bank, you can send us a message via our 24-Hr WhatsApp on 020 7686 6010 or contact our 24-Hr helpline 020 7686 6000.
Sources: https://www.statista.com/statistics/382695/uk-foodbank-users/#:~:text=Number%20of%20people%20using%20food%20banks%20in%20the%20UK%202008%2D2023&text=In%202022%2F23%20approximately%202.99,compared%20with%20the%20previous%20year.
