Food Banks

• Church


  The holy people of God, also called the Body of Christ, among whom Christ is present and active
• Church


  A building in which Christians worship
• The word 'church' comes from the Greek word 'ekklesia' which is defined as an assembly, or a gathering of Christian people</b>
• The root meaning of 'church' is not that of a building, but of people
• Originally the early Church did not have a special building and Christians met together in people's homes
• The New Testament explains that the Church consists of a group of believers under the leadership of Jesus
• The Church is made up of the followers of Jesus in the local community
• The Church


  • Provides a location where Christians from the local community can meet, worship, pray, obtain spiritual guidance and socialise
  • Fulfils needs in the local community, for example a mothers' and toddlers' group or youth club
• The role of the Church is not confined to the building
• What the Church has been a major source of

  • Social services like schooling and medical care
  • Inspiration for art and culture
  • Campaigns for justice and championed the neglected
• In modern Britain the Church has become involved in projects that help the local community, such as food banks
• Matthew 25:35-36: 'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
• This work fits with Christian teachings to act with compassion to those in need
• The Trussell Trust food banks

  • Provide emergency food, help and support to people in crisis in the UK
  • Based on Christian principles, shown, for example, in the parable of the Sheep and Goats
  • Aim to bring people together (religious and non-religious) to work towards ending poverty and hunger in Britain
• Factors that may contribute to an emergency situation

  • Rising prices
  • Cuts in welfare benefits
  • Redundancy
  • Family breakdown
  • Unexpected expense
• The Trussell Trust food banks


  • Non-perishable food is donated and sorted by volunteers
  • Care professionals identify people in crisis and issue a food voucher
  • In exchange for their food voucher, three days of nutritionally balanced food is provided
  • Some food banks provide courses designed to help people eat well and spend less
• There are around 420 Trussell Trust food banks in the UK and in a year they provide food for nearly 1,000,000 people
• The Oasis Project

  • A community hub with an internet café, creative courses, a job club, training opportunities and a base for meetings
  • Also runs a food bank
  • Paid staff are supported by volunteers and session tutors
  • Around 200 people use the centre each week and spiritual and practical support is given to those who need it
• The parable of the Sheep and Goats


  May inspire Christians to provide for those in need