Black Country Food Bank

16/06/2026

Did you hear us on the radio? 🎙️

As part of our 20 year anniversary, our CEO Jen Coleman joined Billie Spakemon and Gary James on Black Country Radio Xtra to talk about the journey of Black Country Foodbank, the challenges local communities are facing, and why this work still matters today.

The conversation reflected on our 20 years of people helping people across the Black Country and how the community is coming together to support our ‘Your 20 … Your Way’ campaign — and we’d love for you to take a listen.

It’s not too late to support – have a look on our website for more details or give us a call on 01384 671250 and share how you’ve been supporting us.

Tune in here to listen to the show – Yours Truly with Charlie (16th June): www.blackcountryradio.co.uk/player/black-country-xtra/on-demand/yours-truly-with-charlie/

Black Country Radio

With Charlie

16/06/2026

We’re committed to extending support beyond a food parcel at Black Country Foodbank. Through our financial grants, we invest in local projects so they can provide fresh food alongside food parcels or through wider food initiatives.

So far this year, we’ve supported 40 local projects.

One example is Wrens Nest Primary School in Dudley, where a trolley stocked with fruit and vegetables is available for families. Previously, it could only be refilled once a week with the support of other charities - now, through continued partnership and with the support of our grant, it’s replenished daily, giving children consistent access to fresh food.

This is only possible thanks to our amazing supporters. Together, we’re helping ensure children and families have the food they need when they need it most.

12/06/2026

🍝 Why does pasta matter in our food parcels?

It might seem like a simple item, but it plays a really important role in the food parcels we provide.

Pasta can be used in many ways, helping people create a wide range of meals - from simple dishes with sauce, to more filling meals with vegetables or tinned meat. It’s also long-lasting, easy to store, and can feed families for more than one meal if made in volume.

When someone is going through a difficult time, knowing they can make a warm, filling meal makes a real difference, which is why pasta is one of the items we regularly include in our food parcels - and when we have a surplus, we even share it with other local organisations to support hot meals across our wider community.

Every donation, big or small, helps us keep providing these essential items to people who need them most 🧡

👉 If you’d like to support, consider adding a packet of pasta to your next donation.

11/06/2026

A huge thank you to Roy for such a generous donation on his birthday 🙏

Many thanks to Roy who has been saving up all year and has donated an amazing £157 to our Food bank. Thank you Roy your generosity will make a difference to all those who are struggling at the moment. We are so grateful to everyone who donates - every donation counts. Thank you

10/06/2026

Recent headlines paint a clear picture of what many of the people we support are already living through every day.

New figures show that even as inflation slows, working families are still worse off, with the cost of essentials continuing to rise faster than wages. At the same time, energy bills are set to increase from July, adding further pressure to already stretched household budgets.

There are welcome steps being introduced this summer, including free bus travel for children in August, reduced VAT on family attractions, and cuts to tariffs on some food items - all aimed at easing the pressure on families. But for many in our communities, this won’t go far enough.

Across the UK, millions are still going without essentials, with many families cutting back on food or skipping meals just to keep up with rising costs. This is the reality behind the headlines - and it’s what we see every day across the Black Country as food poverty continues to exist on our doorstep.

And despite 20 years of support, the need hasn’t gone away - we need your help just as much today as we did then.

If you can, please consider supporting Black Country Food Bank, and together, we can make sure no one has to face these impossible choices alone 🧡

09/06/2026

🌱 A Place to Grow 🌱

We’re proud to have awarded some funding towards to a partnership between The Platform Project (Just Straight Talk) and Darkhouse Baptist Church to help develop their community garden.

The project supports people to grow fresh food, learn new skills, build confidence, and reduce loneliness, while also providing surplus fruit and vegetables for local food bank visitors.

Despite weather and delivery challenges, the garden is now a welcoming, productive space thanks to strong community support, including Community Payback volunteers and a special shout out to Joe (85), whose dedication has been incredible 🧡

As Rev. Denise Dobie shared, “the garden is now a place where people can come together, share skills, and give back to the community.”

The photos show what this funding has helped make possible 🙏

05/06/2026

It was an honour to attend Top Church Training Volunteer Awards Day earlier this week, where we received a Partnership of the Year award alongside Jasmine Road Community Gardens.

The awards were presented by the Chair of Trustees in recognition of local charities that have supported Top Church Training over the past year.

Thank you for the invitation Top Church Training Brierley Hill, and we look forward to continuing to work together 🙏

04/06/2026

We often share our thanks to our volunteers, but this Volunteers’ Week, we want to hear from you 📢

If you’ve met one of our volunteers, received support, or worked alongside our team… if you could say one thing to them, what would it be?

Share your message in the comments below 👇

Because your words mean more than you might realise 🧡

01/06/2026

📢 It’s Volunteers Week, and today we’re shining a light on the incredible people behind Black Country 🧡

Every day, our volunteers show what it means to care for your community. From opening the doors of their foodbanks, offering a warm welcome, a listening ear, or practical support, to sorting and packing food in our central warehouse, they bring hope to people facing difficulties.

As we approach 20 years of supporting our community, we’re reminded that our journey has always been powered by people who care.

To every volunteer – past and present - who gives their time, energy and heart - thank you. You are the reason we can continue to be here for those who need us most 🧡