Community spirit praised by MP on visit to Bilston food bank
An emergency food bank in Bilston has been given a helping hand by its local MP.
Pat McFadden, MP for Wolverhampton South East, made the visit to the Emergency Food Service at the Parish Centre at St Chad's Church, alongside Bilston North Ward councillor Olivia Birch to pack bags of food.
The project was set up by Bishop Albert Watson after the New Testament Church received a grant of £9,300 from the National Lottery Covid 19 Fund and support from FareShare.
It has begun operations at St Chad's while renovation work is taking place at New Testament, with Bishop Watson saying it was an extension of the project that started in March.
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Bishop Watson said: "We started to deliver food parcels to those most in need from our church on Wellington Road and we have carried on the service with this extension.
"Currently, we are receiving requests from more than 200 families each week and that is growing, so we are pleased to have this facility, which will be the second location once we reopen at Wellington Road.
"It's great to have Pat and Olivia down here, as Olivia comes to help as a volunteer and it's a real boost to have eminent people such as our local MP here."
Mr McFadden spoke about the role the project, which provides personalised bags of food and home essentials, plays in the community.
He said: "This food bank is part of the amazing effort that is taking place right across this city involving church and voluntary groups to ensure children and families are being fed.
"We've got a great community spirit here in Wolverhampton, with people wanting to help each other, and today is just another good example of that."
Food parcels can be delivered or collected from Parish Centre at St Chad's Church every Tuesday and Friday from 10am to 12 noon.
Any residents who need help can contact Bishop Watson on 01902498861 or 07980 832319.
