Speech in Strasbourg - Nikki Sinclaire MEP talks about the European Social Fund and Food Banks

Food bank collection in Cheadle, Staffordshire tomorrow

A team from the Office of Nikki Sinclaire MEP will be present in Cheadle's ASDA store on Wednesday to collect donations for local food banks.

 

The MEP has been raising debt awareness and organising collections for food banks for a number of months, and the next stop on her food collection tour will be the Staffordshire store.



A previous collection for food banks

 

Nikki Sinclaire MEP said, "Research last month shows that 500,000 people across the UK last year used a food bank to eat.

 

Food banks are doing vital work in the West Midlands to feed families at a time when they may need a bit extra support. I would encourage anybody at the ASDA Cheadle store on Wednesday to even donate just one item. I know the difference it makes to peoples lives".

 

The We Demand a Referendum Now MEP added,

 

"Its amazing that we now pay £53 million a day to the European Union, while people here in our country are relying on food banks to feed their families ".

Collecting for foodbanks in Tamworth

 

Whilst the team were in Tamworth with the mobile surgery, Mandy and Sarah were in the ASDA Tamworth to collect for local food banks and hand out the money advice booklets.

Mandy and Sarah from the Office of Nikki Sinclaire MEP

 

As you can see, the people of Tamworth were very generous in donating today and the team were astounded by the kindness of strangers once again.

 

Thanks to ASDA for allowing us to collect for the food banks. The food will now be distributed to Tamworth food banks.

Mandy and Sarah from the Office of Nikki Sinclaire MEP

Visiting a food bank distribution centre, Halesowen

 

I went to the Number 2 Storehouse in Halesowen at lunch time today to meet the volunteers and learn more about the work they do at this site.

 

The work that is happening at this distribution centre, a centre which is entirely manned by volunteers, is absolutely incredible.

 

Kelvin showed me around the warehouse. The centre distributes to a number of food banks or projects such as soup kitchens around the Black Country area.

 

 

As well as food, the centre also supplies second hand clothing and homewares for those who are in need. These are obtained on a referral basis from a number of local agencies.

 

 

We took a donation of food into this centre, and this is what they rely on - donations. They also accept donations of items such as soap and shampoo. As one volunteer pointed out, if it is a choice between feeding your family or buying toiletries, food will always be the greater priority.

 

 

This centre has been open since 2006 but the useage only increases. Last December, the centre helped feed nearly 450 children. There is a peak in usage in the feeding of children when there are school holidays as they will not be getting a school dinner.

 

In terms of growth of useage, in 2006 this centre fed 45 people. In 2012, the centre helped to feed 11,950 people.

 

The statistics speak for themselves.

 

The work that is happening here is incredibly humbling. When the EU entertainments budget has been increased by 82% and Eurocrats quaff champagne in the parliament, we have people back in the UK who are relying on food banks for a nutritious meal.
 

 

What would we do without these fantastic volunteers and those who donate food to centres such as this?
 

This was an eye opening visit and I will continue to support food banks here in the West Midlands.