The Food Hub Consortium Project (FHCP) was established in April 2020 as a response to the need for food service and delivery created by the Covid-19 pandemic within local Black and Asian communities in Bristol. This consortium will operate until end of July 2020, funded by the Quartet Community Foundation, with Black South West Network (BSWN) as the Grant holder and project managing organisation.
The consortium of organisations includes Malcolm X Community Centre where the hub is stationed, Bristol Somali Resource Centre, Bristol Horn Youth Concern, Talo, Bristol Black Carers, Bristol Somali Kitchen and Barton Hill Activity Club. Working together to feed 300 families and individuals each week across different city areas such as St Paul’s, St Jude’s, Easton, and Barton Hill. Supported by the local FareShare team in Bristol, the hub has also received food and other donations such as children’s books and toiletries from generous local residents and businesses.
Despite the current challenges posed by the Coronavirus, the spirit of connecting with our local communities and working together to support our vulnerable neighbours and those most affected by the pandemic has been reflected throughout the whole project so far. As our Coordinator Michelle Meredith summarised:
“I've been working in Community Engagement for a long time in and around St Paul’s, and that is what I am passionate about. Just loved the being asked to coordinate the FHCP food hub and recruit volunteers to help run the project.
I reached out to all my contacts in the community and soon had a list of willing individuals who were keen to help. Each person who volunteered all wanted to give something back to those less fortunate and affected by Covid-19. I am proud of my volunteers who come from all walks of life, and show up every week to help with deliveries and re-distribution of food donated to the Food Hub. We work as a Team and also enjoy ourselves as we are now bonding as a team.”
We wanted to find out what made our volunteers so passionate about supporting others through this difficult time, and these are some of their responses:
Our dedicated volunteers were also recently featured as part of the campaign for Volunteers’ week run by the Bristol City Council at the beginning of June, highlighting efforts of dedicated individuals supporting others at this time:
If you’d like to donate any non-perishable food, toiletries, or activity packs for children and the elderly to the Food Hub Consortium Project, please get in touch with Michelle on 07984 338 508.