ALDI WOLVERHAMPTON - MERCURY DRIVE

Hearts and Hands Stafford is a community led non profit organisation; working in the community in Stafford and the surrounding area Helping primarily those affected by hours/reduced income, self employed, part time workers and those who have slipped through the net and need a bit of help. Assisted by local supermarkets supplying surplus food that would normally go to waste and distributing free of charge to the community. We collect and distribute food parcels at no charge to those who are in need. Any donations that come to us will never be sold on for any profits. Hearts and Hands collection points are scattered throughout the area, outside the homes of community minded people who collect dry food and tinned food goods to add to the stock at Hearts and Hands to be given freely. Non food donations, household items and clothing are also collected and given back out into the community or to other charities. We have had many success stories in helping people with their homes who are most vulnerable, we have helped to clear, clean, decorate, refurnish and carpet homes. We do this with the help from the local communities. Working with the blessing of several Stafford Borough Councillors and registered with Support Staffordshire and SCVYS Hearts and Hands Stafford is going from strength to strength with strong committee and great team of key volunteers. Our motto; never look down on someone unless you are helping them up!

We are a voluntary organisation that consists of about 40 + volunteers. We are a diverse bunch and always ready to welcome any one who would like to join us , especially if they can deliver meals to our guests on Thursdays. FoDK is a community kitchen which is recognised by Wolverhampton Council and operates out of a private home. We have also recently gained the Kings Award for Voluntary Service. Two of our volunteers went to London and all of us received the award in Birmingham. Our guests said it was nice that the work we do is seen by others as valuable. When the lockdown started we wondered how we were going to serve our guests, who used to come to a church hall for their meal. We usually served between 50-70 guests. It was decided we would deliver the food as we were no longer allowed to meet inside. In April 2020 we took out 6 meals and gave the rest to a local night shelter. We are currently (May 2025) serving 970+ guests every Thursday. We serve individuals, couples, mixed occupancy housing groups, families ,we feed over 480 children and we send a family bag of fresh produce donated by local supermarkets, mainly given by local Tesco, Aldi and Sainsbury stores. When there is not always very much surplus to offer, we try to supplement with food bought via FareShare. We run entirely on donations and grants, there are no paid staff and all monies raised go on feeding those in need across our city. We would like to send out extra food bags to all our guests if we could and constantly look for partners to help us. Presently, only families with children are receiving the surplus we collect. However many individuals and couples would benefit from a little extra too. We take referrals from a variety of routes, from schools, social workers, other charities, police, or self-referral. On our website www.FODK.org you can find our contact details. We also are always on the look out for new volunteers. We are a diverse group of volunteers and welcome everyone. We need drivers with their own transport or others who will shop, collect, prepare, fundraise. We also have some work experience students from local schools and care leavers. Whatever your strengths we can use your talents. We do have a formal constitution and our own bank account and are recognised by Wolverhampton City Council as a Community Kitchen. It has been inspected and received a grade 5 Food Safety Rating. Several volunteers also have their Level 2 Food Safety and Hygiene award. We were at St Andrew’s church as a place of welcome, on Mondays, this is now kept open by the church for us, 9.30-12.00 ( not Bank Holidays) Andy’s Place of Welcome runs Fridays 9.30-12.00. We are trying to bring a sense of community back, a place to meet and talk, various activities will be available and agencies such as health, education , local groups invited in to help share local information. Small steps in these continuing difficult times.

New testament church of god (ntcg) is a religious organisation (church/charity/company) the church/charities. Our main objectives is directed towards the propagation of the gospel according to the acts and teachings of the church of God. Willenhall Tabernacle is a community Church. Our vision and mandate is to have the church doors open for everyone in the community. Reaching out to all walks of life, for not just the spiritual word but the physical bread also. We have a weekly Soup Kitchen for the local community where we feed and fellowship with people from all walks of life. Our Church is made of a high nunmber of elderly. It is important for us as a Church to make sure our brethren are looked after during this pandemic. This includes Social distancing visits and calls, video calls to those who have access and weekly checks to see if our seniors are coping with being in lockdown. Due to pride, we have found many members too proud to ask for help. So we do what we can to help everyone that needs it.