Fir Vale Food Bank

Story & photo:Tim Neal

Fir Vale Food Bank opens at St Cuthbert's Church, Barnsley Road, every Thursday from 2 to 4pm. Revd Louise Collins, Vicar of Fir Vale and co-founder of Fir Vale Food Bank, explained they were responding to an ever-increasing need:

"Since last summer we noticed people were asking for food and not for money. It started with parishioners bringing in food."

"There is no means-testing. We don't ask for an address or ID. We are giving away food for one day. We don't want to encourage dependency, nor replace statutory support."

Revd Collins also encourages those seeking assistance to become volunteers themselves. When we visited, there were a number of people helping sort food, making tea and offering each other support and company.

"People can share, build community, swap stories and learn from each other."

If you would like to know more contact Alpha and Revd Louise Collins on 0114 261 1605.