Oasis Pantry Hobmoor
I just wanted to tell you about the exciting new project we are starting. Following the food parcel project where we delivered 5277 food parcels we left a big hole in the community with many people still in need. The community centre does not have a suitable room to run a Community Food Store and so we have partnered with South Yardley Methodist Church and your local pantry.
The Hub will be running a 'Your Local Pantry' at South Yardley Methodist Church called Yardley’s Your Local Pantry (next to farm foods on the Coventry Road). We will be buying into a franchise with CAP (Churches against Poverty) who will provide systems, processes and training for volunteers. Essentially we will be setting up a corner shop using rooms in the church. People can apply to be members or be referred. They will need to pay £4 each time they come to the shop. They can choose 13 items to take away. 3 items valued at over £1.50 and 10 other items. They fill their basket with what they want, just like in a shop.
A typical basket - Members pay £4 for a basket of food
The food pantry model fits most closely to the Oasis ethos where we seek to Empower the community. The £4 membership fee provides an income to pay for operating costs so the Pantry becomes sustainable in the long term. We need financial help to cover the initial set up costs.
£10 will pay towards the PPE we need to keep the Pantry COVID safe.
£30 will pay for a Fare Share delivery.
£150 will pay for the building costs for 1 week.
£400 will pay for the display freezer we need.
The Search for Premises
The Asset Support group entered into conversations with some potential spaces owned by the council to no avail. Birmingham Play Care network who run the Yardley Scrap Store were also seeking new Premises and had entered into discussions with South Yardley Methodist Church. At a network meeting despite their own need, they directed us to this Space. “Your need for the community is greater”, Emma Payne BPCN.
#Feed Yardley
We have such fantastic friends across the neighbourhood. Arts in the Yard are collecting food donations for us from the local community.
We’ve been inspired by Thrive Together Birmingham’s #FeedBirmingham campaign and in order to support Yardley’s foodbanks over the next 6 months, we are running our own #FeedYardley initiative. If you are able to, we are asking residents to donate non-perishable food items that Arts In The Yard will then redistribute to local foodbanks.
Hampers and Gifts for the people we know who really need them.
The Hub Council working closely with the Hobmoor Hub and its partners will be helping to make up Hampers and provide Gifts to vulnerable families within our community.
This year has been like no other, and more families have been affected by circumstances that are outside their control. The gift of a hamper will enable families to simply enjoy the festive time without the added worry of wondering where or how to feed the family. If you are able to make a donation whatever you can. It will enable us to make a difference to our community and let them know that there is a safe place where they can come and shop and feed their families without having to worry. What will your donation help us to achieve:
£5 will help us to buy ribbons and linings
£10 will buy a basket or recyclable box for the hamper.
£20 will pay for the surplus food we need to be delivered.
£50 will help towards our running costs
Toys for Brum
We will be supporting the Toys for Brum Campaign by using the Oasis Academy Hobmoor minibuses as mobile collection points to help people give directly. We will also be a beneficiary and distribute toys to our vulnerable kids we know for Christmas irrespective of faith and how they celebrate.
Please donate whatever you can afford and help the #14million. If you are local you can also donate non - perishable food and toys at Hobmoor Community Centre, 250 Wash Lane B25 8FD on a Saturday morning.