Kind-hearted group launches Lye food bank
Kind-hearted worshippers in Dudley have launched a foodbank for vulnerable people amid the coronavirus outbreak.
Members of the Islamic Community and Education Centre, from Lye, are delivering food parcels to those in the need around the town.
The operation was launched amid the Covid-19 outbreak and is being run out of Lye's Salvation Army Centre.
Community campaigner Abdul Quadas, from the ICEC, told the Express & Star: "This foodbank was needed.
"We are doing the foodbank for all members of the community, not just the Muslim community. We are not segregating ourselves from any other ethnic minorities or religions or colours of race.
"We are all British. It is a show of appreciation from the Muslim community as well."
The food has been paid for through donations from generous members of the public.
So far, thousands of pounds have been raised. But the scheme, called Covid-19 Emergency Food, is in need of more food and money.
Around six people from the religious centre are volunteering at the foodbank, with more volunteers are on standby if help is needed.
Mr Quadas compared the scheme to the Bearded Bros, which is a group of Muslim volunteers from Birmingham. The Beard Bros collected people's rubbish during the Birmingham bin strikes.
'Brilliant'
Mr Quadas extended thanks to Tesco in Stourbridge for supplying the foodbank with food "at a good price".
"They were brilliant. They also supplied us with carrier bags," he added.
Last Sunday, the foodbank delivered parcels to 96 people in and around Lye, in places like Quarry Bank and Colley Gate.
And if volunteers can't help people directly, they will inform the social services at Dudley Council.
Anyone wishing to donate food or money is asked to contact the volunteers.
Call Mr Quadas on 07719953907 or email a.quadas@btinternet.com.
Alternatively, visit www.icec.org.uk or email info@icec.org.uk.
