Basics Bank (April 2020)

Since 1996, Southampton City Mission (SCM) have been giving out free food to anyone in need in Southampton through their Basics Bank Project, working through trusted referral partners e.g. doctors & health visitors, to provide emergency food for those who fall through the gaps in the benefit system, or are struggling with one of life’s crises.

All the food is donated by churches, schools, the public and businesses.  When someone attends a Basics Bank they are given a warm welcome and offered a drink and a chat while their food parcel is made up. They will be given enough food for five days.

The great news is that Shirley Baptist Church will be hosting a Basics Bank and there will be lots of ways in which YOU can be involved!

Are you free on a Thursday? Would you like to spend some time helping: serving tea, chatting to clients, making up food parcels?  Our Basics Bank will be open from 10.00a.m. – 3.00p.m. every week but you don’t have to attend every week or stay all day. Would you be able to provide some food to keep the Basics Bank running? They are always in need of coffee, tinned meat, rice pudding, tinned fruit and toiletries. Could you pick up something extra with your shopping and bring it along to Church on Sunday? Although clients are encouraged to bring their own stout shopping bags along, there is also a need for plastic bags so, if you have any lurking in a cupboard at home, please bring them along too.

Please pray that the Basics Bank at SBC will meet the needs of folk in Shirley in a friendly, non-judgmental way whilst showing them the love of Jesus: and please speak to Anne or Dave R if you would like any further details.

Anne & Dave R