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At the heart of the Mission's headquarters at the Clock Tower in Bordesley is a large warehouse full of furniture, clothing and food donated by many hundreds of people from across the city. This is BCM's Resource Centre.

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Throughout the week its two vans come and go through the shutter doors to collect and deliver. Staff and volunteers drive miles around Birmingham's roads, hulking furniture on and off the back of the vans, carrying it up and down steps and paths. From Tuesday to Thursday the warehouse is buzzing with life as people arrive with referral letters for a food parcel, look for items for a furniture pack to help them set up in their own home, or rifle through the clothing racks for something to wear. The phone rings non-stop, people offering donations, people needing help.

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Resource Centre Assistant Manager, Andy Morton explained some of the situations people find themselves in that bring them in for help. 'One man came for a furniture pack. He had owned his own company but things had gone wrong for him. We've also seen an increase in the number of Ukrainian refugees coming to us for clothes and food. The most common reason why people come for food parcels is when families go through a period of several weeks with little or no income as they transition from one benefit to another.

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We have many women who come because they are escaping abusive relationships and have been transferred from other cities like London. They just have to up and leave everything behind, absolutely everything they have, and so have nothing when they arrive in Birmingham. One lady in particular stuck in my mind. She was so grateful for a place like the Resource Centre to come to for help to start re-build her life. We gave her furniture, clothing and food.'

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Whilst inflation, supermarket prices and energy bills are still hitting us all, it is the poorest households that are hit the hardest. BCM's food bank now has 1,110 names on its client list and it continues to give out up to 250 parcels every month.

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Please consider giving food and toiletries or holding a collection at your church, workplace or in your neighbourhood this harvest time. Thank you.

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At the moment we particularly need:

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non-perishable food: tins of hot & cold meats; rice

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toiletries: shower gel; shaving foam & razors; toothbrushes & toothpaste; shampoo

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We also need volunteer help with sorting and dating incoming items.  

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Please deliver to the Resource Centre or get in touch if you need us to pick up large collections.

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BCM Resource Centre, The Clock Tower, 2 Langdon Street, Birmingham B9 4BP

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0121 766 6603 (ext 1) or office@birminghamcitymission.co.uk

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Opening hours: Tues to Thurs from 10am to 4pm

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You can also give financially online to the Resource Centre food bank - click here

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