An emergency food bank has been set up at Christchurch Thurnby Lodge for people desperately in need of food parcels.
The church – which is already involved with FareShare in the city – has extended its support to the Good Neighbour Scheme, which is a Leicester city-wide initiative providing food to those who are in the most vulnerable groups and those self-isolating.
Reverend Paul Savage said: “We are part of our community and so when one person hurts, we all hurt. Part of the diocesan vision of loving service to our world is making sure our neighbour has food, and part of the gospel imperative of Matthew 25 is to clothe the naked, heal the sick, and feed the poor."
“Over the last five years we have increasingly been a visible part of our local community and this is another step in that journey to love and serve God and our neighbours.”
Reverend Paul and the church family are working with finance from ward councillors, support from South Wigston Foodbank, and volunteers from the community – who are all being extremely vigilant of social distancing measures.
Signposting is happening through the local council, shops, GP surgeries, STAR tenancy services and Social Services. They have also developed partnerships with other churches locally to meet the needs of those they encounter.
Reverend Paul explained: “We started with 15 parcels and last week we delivered 41, while passing across another 10 to other Good Neighbour projects or churches. We expect this to rise to around 60 next week.”
So far local businesses, the Scouts, Tesco (FareShare) and church members have donated much of the food.
Reverend Paul would like to thank the neighbouring parish of St Denys in Evington, All Saints in Scraptoft and Laburnum Road Community Church in Humberstone, for their support.
“Where sisters and brother dwell together in unity, the Lord will bless them,” he said.