Pret Birmingham, Selfridges

We are Assembles of the First Born Church based in Aston Lozells. We are making an appeal for food donations for our weekly foodbank in Lozells, which is a deprived area of Birmingham. We have been running a weekly foodbank since the first lockdown and have noticed the number of families with young children that are in need of support, people who have lost their job due to Covid and the homeless. As part of our usual program for ministering to those in need we provide food and toiletries. We would appreciate any food and toiletries that you could donate to help us to continue to support a community in need. We are currently supporting 30-40 persons per week which only accounts for the adult that collect the food, and not the other members of the family. We keep a robust register of all who collect a care package. We operate the food bank from a building at the rear of the church. We support service users who are homeless, from hostels, local community and individuals who are refered to us by their probation officer who see our sign. We are part of a Whatapp foodbank group who will refer indudivuals to us. At the foodbank we also supply clothes and bedding to individual who require them. We do not charge for our services , all the team work on a volunteery basic to support the cause. At present we do not collect surplus food from any retailers, but other food bank if they have any surplus they will notify us. We have had no local press coverage in regards to the work we are doing in the community. We would be happy to send some photos and leaflets showing what we do at the food bank. We thank you in advance and hope that you will be able to offer us some support. We promise to embrace transparency as we have always done. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Monica Bailey or Rev Angela Williamson.

Looprun is a response division and part of an independent social enterprise. This is more than food and is part of a supportive services platform to help people get sustained in their own individual way. With up to 94% success rate and seeing once those receiving free Looprun response bags to returning to stores as shoppers with baskets full. These are the impact stories created when all come together to do good for good. Service users are signposted to Looprun mostly from referrals including professionals in social and healthcare. Looprun provides free non perishables, perishable food, toiletries, and brand new clothing to people facing a temporary challenge. Whatever supermarkets, stores, and retailers can do is turned into a grateful donation to a neighbour in need. This is a response to real people in real-time. No food is banked providing a direct in and out service. We believe if the food is stored then a person in need is not getting any food, hence we provide an instant response and instant impact service. Looprun has access to professional volunteers who carry out a confidential support service to people in need. From homeless shelters, hostels, sheltered housing, care homes, soup kitchens and schools. This is a non voucher, free and confidential service. This means Looprun can reach more people in need with food donations. Anyone that receives a Looprun bag of essential food items is sustained thus creating a loop cycle. All are invited to become part of these sustainable stories in your local community. For further information and gallery access on the impact of Looprun please visit: Website: https://www.looprun-sciv.online/

Armada FCs' Community Team is dedicated to tackling both food waste and food insecurity across Birmingham. Recognising the global challenge posed by food waste—where significant volumes of edible food are discarded daily—we actively work to intercept this waste and redirect it to individuals and families in need. This dual mission not only supports those facing hunger but also contributes positively to environmental sustainability. Our approach begins with food rescue. We collaborate with local supermarkets, farms, wholesalers, and suppliers to collect surplus yet edible food that would otherwise go to waste. Through scheduled collections and ad hoc donations, this food is sorted, quality-checked, and redistributed across the city. Working in partnership with food banks, schools, shelters, and community centres, we ensure nutritious food reaches vulnerable households efficiently and consistently. All food provided through our community fridge and food parcel service is distributed free of charge. In instances where partner organisations may charge small administrative fees to cover delivery logistics, the food itself remains entirely without cost. This commitment ensures equitable access to food support, removing financial barriers for those experiencing hardship. Rescued food obtained through platforms like Neighbourly plays a key role in our programmes. It supports essential meal provision and is also used in community-focused events that promote inclusion and shared learning—such as family food days, communal cooking sessions, and educational workshops on food sustainability and nutrition. We also integrate food into our wider Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) service, which supports individuals facing complex life challenges including homelessness, mental health issues, domestic violence, and substance misuse. By including food provision in these tailored support packages, we help people stabilise their lives with dignity and care. Our outreach model is holistic. Beyond food, Armada FC’s community arm offers referral pathways to employment services, mental health support, and financial advice. We also run awareness campaigns on social justice issues, including menstrual poverty, providing free hygiene products through our fridge site and outreach workers. Inclusivity and dignity are at the core of everything we do. Just as Armada FC promotes diversity and fairness in sport, our community programmes champion the rights and wellbeing of every individual, regardless of their circumstances or background. This work would not be possible without the dedication of our volunteers, partners, and supporters. Their time, skills, and generosity enable us to run a reliable and responsive food hub that uplifts the community. Through collaboration with local businesses, agencies, and donors, we continue to build a connected, compassionate support network for all.