There was a food bank bin by the door when I went in the Co-op the other day. There were a few lonely items in the bottom: a multi-pack of Quavers, some washing-up liquid and a packet of sanitary towels among the tea and cereal.
The bin was on behalf of Open Hands, a Leicester charity that helps anyone in need. Their food store has received a 23% increase in visits since last year.
Open Hands was asking for help to replenish The Big Ten: the items most requested at the Food Store:
I went round with a separate basket picking up one of each item on the list. I felt sad doing it, imagining families and people on their own, in the dire need of emergency supplies from a food bank; the diminishing process of getting a referral; the limited items on display; living out of tins and packets.
My small contribution came to £16.53. It seemed very meagre as I put it in the bin, hardly making a dent in the collection. Some items had been on special offer and I had bought two of them. There was barely a meal for a family, possibly enough to provide food for a single person for a day or two.
The bin was gone the next time I went back. It had only been in the shop for a week. In its place were serried rows of Valentine's bouquets at £15 and £20 each. I wondered how much food had been donated over the week the bin was there.
My neighbour is a volunteer at Open Hands. She teaches English as a Second Language, two classes a week on Mondays and Fridays. The classes are run on an academic basis.
Pie Night takes place at 7pm on Tuesday where anyone in need can get a free meal. Pukka Pies Ltd sponsors the meals by donating pies every week.
There's a Furniture Store and a Drop-In twice a week in which clothing, toiletries and household items are available for free on receipt of an Open Hands Referral Form. Tea and toast is there, too, for anyone who needs it.
Alongside the English classes there is are mentoring programmes, a pre-school, and an advice centre.
The charity also runs 6 Degrees coffee shop on London Road, just up from the station, with all surpluses re-invested back into the organisation's work.
Source The Clothing Store at the Open Hands Drop-In Centre.
There's an emphasis on the social side, opportunities for people to have a cup of tea or a meal and engage with other people as well as get practical help.
Over 200 people visit Open Hands every week, with a 23% increase in visits to the Food Store since last year. One good thing about Getting Brexit Done is that Ministers can get on with doing their proper jobs. Although with ten Housing Ministers in as many years, I wonder how much will change.
