We run the largest African food bank in Northampton, having provided food parcels to over 5000 people since April 2020, shortly after lockdown due to the outbreak of Covid-19. Since then, we have distributed food parcels to over 1000 families in need. A lot of the referrals come from large organisations such as various councils. The parcels contain culturally specific food, as well as non food basics, including nappies and baby food for those families needing them.
We currently have nearly 100 families on the books, split into 2 groups who receive food fortnightly. All the food parcel recipients are really grateful and look forward to their fortnightly package, as they are currently in crisis due to the high cost of living, and would otherwise have to choose between heating and eating.
Volunteers
Our food bank has over 70 volunteers, both skilled and unskilled who massively contribute to our work as a charity organisation. To become a volunteer does not require specific skills. Our volunteers include community members, students, past beneficiaries among others. Any additional offer to help is exceptionally welcome as is would be an immense step taken towards eradicating food poverty in the Northamptonshire community.
Are you interested in joining our team? If so, contact us on 07932 519532 or email uafricanassociation@gmail.com
Aims and objectives of the foodbank
We aim to ensure marginalised African families, asylum seekers, refugees and other undocumented mingrants with no recourse to public funds are equipped with basic necessities. We believe is that everyone should be able to afford to eat. We acknowledge that the foodbank provides compassionate and practical support which does not totally eradicate poverty but works towards improving lives of people affected by it. We provide hope to our beneficiaries through our foodbank and connect them with organisations with expert knowledge and equipped resources in the community to help them with other problems concerning immigration, social welfare and legal proceedings.
Real life stories
Sheida who came to the UK as healthcare worker eventually found us when she was unable to work. She had run of funds and could not work yet as her DBS was being processed. Through being referred from another community organisation, Sheida was able to access our foodbank, build relations with other members of the organisation and now works as a volunteer for the UAA.
AA is an international student studying at the local university. She had arrived in the UK with her husband and children and rented a private property. Her husband unfortunately suffered a stroke and could no longer support their family. With AA being only able to work for 20 hours per week, her income could barely feed their family and their rent went unpaid for months. With NRPF status of the family, it was impossible to gain welfare aids. The UAA helps by providing the family with huge food parcels weekly and referral to legal counsels to appeal the NRPF status.
FG is a Caribbean elderly who located our foodbank through a referral from one of our volunteers. He is one of our beneficiaries who receives weekly food parcels and friendly services of community engagement projects. After receiving and surgery and being discharged from the hospital, he could not be reached when food parcels were to be delivered. Two volunteers with food safety qualifications from the council were eventually sent out to his property. It was discovered from the visit that FG’S property was unkempt and neglected. His house officer was contacted to reassess his benefits. Through the foodbank, his benefits have been assessed and he now has access to an increased welfare income.
A mother of seven, unable to speak English came to see us with one of her sons as a translator. She lived with her husband and children in a house which was constantly flooded. The flooding kept destroying their appliances and food supplies in the house yet her housing agency and landlord would not budge on request to repair their home. The foodbank continued to supply the family with weekly meals as they were connected with a councillor who promptly got to work on restoring their home to a place fit for living.