An Aberdeen city centre church is aiming to create a one stop shop for people in need.
The foodbank at Silver City Church, on Leadside Road, has been supporting the community for almost a decade.
Having recently joined forces with the Aberdeen North Foodbank Network, the team has been able to increase its services to provide financial advice and introduce a weekly warm cafe.
This expansion is vital amid the cost of living crisis as people are being forced to choose between heating their homes and eating.
‘Community spirit shines through’
Coordinator Michelle Allen has been involved with the foodbank since it began and remains passionate about helping those in the community.
“I grew up in poverty,” she said. “As a child watching your parents worry about where food is going to come from gives you empathy and compassion, and I’m now very passionate about helping those in need, in particular children.”
This is exactly what she does at Silver City Church, where she says the community spirit shines through.
Those in need are able to visit to collect a food parcel and also have the option to stay for an hour to have a hot drink and a chat.
“The people who are coming in feel like part of a community that’s getting established here,” she said. “We’re seeing the same people come to the foodbank and the heat café, everyone is welcome.
“The need is desperately there and continues to grow. People don’t want to be sitting in their freezing cold house alone, they want to come out and have that fellowship and conversation.
“We’re able to provide that thankfully, but we are relying on donations – financial, food or anything anybody is willing to give, including their time.”
Demand higher than ever before
The foodbank now receives regular food deliveries from the Aberdeen North Foodbank Network, which is run by the Trussell Trust.
They also provide vital training, governance and administration support to all associated centres in the city.
Matthew McArthur, foodbank administrator for the network, said: “Bringing more foodbanks into our network gives the Trussell Trust a much better view on what’s happening in the city and what’s happening across the country.
“We’ve delivered to Silver City maybe three times in the six weeks that we’ve had them on board. The centre sends us a list of what they’re needing so we’ll try and fulfil that as best we can.”
Although donations to the network have remained fairly regular, they are distributing more food than ever before so any help they can receive makes a big difference.
“In the past 12 months we’ve put out enough food to feed 5,000 people,” he said.
“In the 12 months before that it was about 2,400 people. So, we’ve more than doubled in terms of food going out.”
Donations can be made to the network at Tesco at Danestone, Asda at the Beach Retail Park or at King’s Church in Bridge of Don.
Other options for donating and volunteering can be found via the Trussell Trust website.
Newly launched heat cafe
Through the network partnership, visitors to the Silver City Church foodbank are also able to receive financial advice.
A representative from Aberdeen Citizens Advice Bureau attends the foodbank session every week to talk to people.
Mr McArthur said: “They have a long waiting list at the moment so it’s really good that people coming to the foodbanks are not having to wait that extended period.”
This month the church has also launched its heat cafe which runs every Saturday between 10am and 2pm.
Visitors can find fellowship and company while enjoying a hot drink or soup, with WiFi and games for children also available.
The numbers are already growing week on week further establishing the community feel at Silver City – with one visitor saying it should be called the “Love Cafe”.
Another new addition at the Rosemount-based foodbank is a custom built cupboard which has made organising all of the donations much more manageable.
Aberdeen-based joiner Gary Thomson donated his time and the supplies to create the new foodbank space – and completed all the work in just 48 hours last week.
Miss Allen added: “I’m so grateful, it’s overwhelming. It’s been a huge thing for me and the foodbank team in terms of what we’ll be able to do with managing deliveries and making up the bags.”
The foodbank at Silver City Church is open between 10.30am and 11.30am every Monday, and between 5.15pm and 6.15pm on the second and fourth Monday of each month.
Anyone who needs support is asked to contact michelle@silvercitychurch.uk
The Big Christmas Food Appeal
As part of the Big Christmas Food Appeal, the Press and Journal and Evening Express have been working to highlight the work of foodbanks like Silver City Church.
We’ve also launched some drop-off points for donations across Aberdeen, Inverness and Elgin or there’s a JustGiving page donations can be made to.
We have been reporting on the cost-of-living crisis and breaking down the stigma around foodbanks, while making sure those in our communities know where to get help when they need.
If you know of any initiatives going on in your community that we have not covered please let us know at livenews@ajl.co.uk
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