News

Giving from the Heart

4th February 2020

One of the joys of working at a Foodbank is that it brings you into contact with an incredible variety of people, from volunteers to those in need of the service, from partner agencies in the community to those donating food and finance. The latter in itself encompasses a whole spectrum of the community, from large businesses seeking to give something back to the community to low-profile individuals who in some way have been touched by the work of the Foodbank and want to play a part.

 
Narinder Sahota from Redditch arrived at our distribution centre in Winyates on Christmas Eve 2018. He brought us a car load of food and also a financial donation, which his employer donation matched, which provided a wonderful boost to our running costs. This contribution helped towards allowing us to open five days a week from April 2019, adding an extra day at Winyates.

 

Narinder and his son at The Link in Winyates on a sunny Christmas Eve 2018

 

One year later, Narinder contacted me about repeating his donation. I was of course delighted, knowing how much this would benefit the continuation of our much-needed service, especially in the light of recent challenges regarding the removal of concessionary rental rates for the voluntary sector. I was curious to know what motivated Narinder to give to us, and he graciously took the time to answer my questions.

 
“I have always grown up with a sense of care towards the community that I live in,” he explained. “My parents ran a shop in Winyates Green and were always involved with what was happening around them. I also work for a company with a great culture of giving back to the communities we are part of; with employees all encouraged to give their time in a voluntary capacity. We also provide our applications to many charities with employees freely helping them set it up. Most importantly, I have a social conscious and do not take for granted that today I am fortunate to have a good job and financial stability; anything could happen to any of us one day”.

 
The Foodbank exists to serve people in the community, but can only do this through the generosity of people who believe in what we do and choose to volunteer their time, donate food or contribute financially. Turning 50 in 2018 is what prompted Narinder to want to make a significant donation, compelled further by reading about the work of the Foodbank in the local paper. “I know people that have been in need, and the mistaken feeling of failure that they feel at not being able to provide for themselves and their families. It’s something that no-one should have to face. It takes courage to step out and get the help their families need. The Foodbank is there for those people and we can do our part to help”.

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