Churches and charities
Dozens of churches and charities across the greater Birmingham area operate food banks that can help needy families and people on a low income. Using donations as well as government funds, the organisations provide free food, vegetables, and non-perishable items to vulnerable households. While the demand for help in this part of West Midlands is very high, each site will do its best to help.
Assist as many people as possible
Many of the local food banks are part of churches and partner with groups in the region. Some of those agencies include Birmingham Social Services, Ladywood Project, and the Karis Neighbour Scheme among others. They do this to assist as many people as possible. While resources are limited, a food centre should be contacted when a household is faced with an emergency.
Often a voucher is required
As with any benefit, the amount and type of food available will vary, often by the season of the year as well. The centres may have tinned meats, milk or fresh fruits or canned vegetables. Often a voucher is required. Some of the soup kitchens or charities may have free meals, including at Christmas for the homeless and most vulnerable. Other food banks will focus on the disabled or elderly.
To get a voucher
To get a voucher, contact a food bank or one of the following agencies. Or the organisation will offer referrals. Try calling Birmingham and Solihull Women’s Aid, Bromford Support, Integrated Family Support Workers, Midland Heart Housing Association, Birmingham Settlement, or one of the other agencies referenced.
Free food from churches in West Midlands and Birmingham
All Saints Church centre – the food bank has tinned meat, rice, fruits, formula, and other goods. Youth and those on low incomes may benefit from their services. Location is Albert Road, Stechford, Birmingham, B33 8AU. Call 07811 350 778.
St Matthew’s Church of Aston & Nechells – A charity for those families on a low income and that have had their benefits cut. The church is at 63 Wardlow Road, Nechells, Birmingham, B7 4JH. For hours of this centre, call 0121 359 0801.
B30 foodbank may have emergency boxes. The Cotteridge Church 24 Pershore Road, South Birmingham B30 3EJ. Call 07852 143 972.
Erdington Baptist Church may have tinned goods, meat or vegetables. Volunteers may also provide signposting and other help. Erdington Six Ways Baptist Church, Wood End Road, Erdington, Birmingham B24 8AD. Telephone number – 07775 465 062.
Holy Trinity Church is a charity to contact. They partner with Trussell Trust and other organisations to help the vulnerable in West Midlands. People with a voucher may receive a free parcel of food in a crisis, and other aid is offered too. The address is Church Hill Street, Smethwick, West Midlands B67 7AH. Call 07527 962 092 to reach the food bank.
St Boniface Church – emergency boxes of food may be passed out. The location uses donations and offer rice, meats, bread, and Christmas food baskets. All items free to the vulnerable that are found to be eligible. Quinton Road West, Quinton, B32 2QD. Telephone – 07969434928.
Trussell Trust and the Birmingham Central Foodbank help the needy, low income, poor, and families in crisis. The charity provides free food in the form of vouchers. They can be used to get an emergency parcel of groceries. There are several distribution centres in the city of Birmingham and across the West Midlands. But the main food bank is at Birmingham City Church, Parade, Birmingham B1 3QQ and the phone number to ring is 0121 236 2997.
Vineyard Network Church Birmingham – toiletries, bags of food, and other support is available for low-income families. Network House, 174-178 Barford Street, Digbeth, Birmingham B5 7EP. For more information, ring the church at 0121 622 1230.
Emergency parcels of groceries from not-for profits and councils
Basic Bank – they offer both emergency parcels as well as a food assistance programme that lasts up to 6 months. They work with other charity agencies on this service.
Birmingham Central Foodbank supports the vulnerable and older adults. Clients with a voucher will be referred to emergency resources. The location partners with churches, charity, and other agencies in order to help the vulnerable and those in priority need. Address: 121 Camden Street, Hockley B1 3DJ. The main telephone number to call is 0121 236 2997, and referrals will be given to soup kitchen and food banks, including for Christmas meals.
There are several other ways for Birmingham families to get help at Christmas. There may be toys, clothes, food, and other presents given in addition to the hot meal. Dozens of charities, including the Salvation Army, offer free Christmas toys for children.
Birmingham Settlement – this location will usually have referrals to local food bank. The address is Money Advice Centre, Units 4-7 Alma House, Newtown Shopping Centre, Birmingham. Telephone – 0121 250 3000.
Black Country Food bank operates from two areas. The two locations are Upper Gornal Methodist Church Kent Street, Upper Gornal DY3 1YB and Brierley Hill Project South Street, Brierley Hill DY5 2RR. Up to 3 days of emergency food is for the vulnerable in the Birmingham area. Social workers also partner on a long-term solution for the individual. The location also workers with other charity organisations and churches in the Midlands.
Citizens Advice Bureau, which is located at Birmingham City Centre – they can provide clients a voucher or referral to a charity food bank. Other free advice may be provided too. For information on benefits, including food programmes, call 0844 477 1010. Address: Gazette Buildings, 168 Corporation Street, Birmingham. West Midlands, B4 6TF.
City Mission operates a Care Centre, which can serve free meals or give out boxes of food, meats and non-perishable items. They also serve lunches to the elderly in Birmingham. Another service from the charity is a Christmas programme, which can serve meals or provide toys and gifts to families on a low income with children.
Coventry is also supported by its own City Mission charity. The Café Eating Place can serve a free meal or pass out a box of perishable goods, such as fruit, or canned items. A helpline can also refer people to other organisations and benefits to address hunger. Clothing and other support is offered too from the charity and read more Coventry City Mission programmes.
Glebe Centre provides low-cost meals from a soup kitchen. There may be soup, hot drinks and more. Lunches and breakfasts are offered, and for those people that need a voucher to a food bank in Birmingham, that can be provided as well to eligible families.
Great Barr Food bank is located at St Bernard’s Church Broome Avenue, Birmingham B43 5AL. Telephone – 0121 357 5399.
Henley in Arden can be turned to in an emergency. Referrals are needed. Church Hall Beaudesert Lane, Henley in Arden B95 5BA. Telephone – 01564792871.
Kingfisher is another not-for-profit. Address: Auckland Hall, 25 Sunbeam Close, Smiths Wood, Birmingham B36 9JR. West Midlands families can dial 07902030134.
Lifeline Food Bank is located at Hollymoor Community Church. For those that have exhausted themselves of options, assistance may be offered. They work with social care agencies, South Birmingham Young Homeless Project, charities and council to help the poor and families facing poverty. The Old Chapel Manor Park Grove, Northfield B31 5ER.
LMCC Soup Kitchen, also known as the Lozells Methodist Church Centre, has free bowls of hot soup. That and more is served. Volunteers and staff offer referrals, may have welcome packs, blankets for the homeless and other social services. Address: 163 Gerrard Street Lozells Birmingham B19 2AH. Telephone – 0121 554 9360.
Solihull district emergency support is provided from welfare. While many needs can be met by this scheme, the council is able to provide vouchers for families on a low income so they can buy food or groceries. The team at the council is also involved in referring residents to everything from local food banks to other charities.
Sparkhill foodbank – 6a Bard Street, Sparkhill, Birmingham, B11 4SA. Telephone – 0121 771 0464.
West Midlands Salvation Army – there are a few centres. Some are noted below but there are more. The church-based group helps people regardless of religion or age. Food banks, clothing, shelter, and referrals to grants and benefits are offered. Children from low-income families in West Midland County may receive free meals at Christmas or even small gifts.
Welcome Change CIC – Community Centre/ Café – free hot meals, soup, and emergency food is available. Hours of the location are limited, and volunteers to prepare and serve meals are needed. The agency can help the vulnerable and homeless. The centre is at Ownall Road Shard End Birmingham B34 7AJ. Telephone – 0121 749 5702.
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