Food poverty charity starts third Birmingham project

FoodCycle aims to reduce food waste and bring people together.

FoodCycle, the charity that fights to make food poverty, loneliness and food waste a thing of the past in every community are launching a brand new project at the West Heath Community Centre, their third in Birmingham, next Sunday 23rd May.

Serving up free takeaway meals every Sunday from 1pm–2pm, this vital service aims to provide food and conversation to local communities across the country. With the additional aim of reducing food waste, FoodCycle volunteers create nutritious meals from surplus food. The meals are open to all, and guests range from low-income families, people affected by homelessness and those who cannot afford to buy food. No questions asked, you can just turn up and collect.

Regional Manager Jody Beswick, FoodCycle Birmingham says: ”We are thrilled to be launching a new project in West Heath. Like our other Birmingham Projects, we look forward to forming partnerships with local businesses, welcoming local residents in to the FoodCycle volunteer family and most importantly providing a nutritious meal and friendly chat to anyone in the community who needs it, no questions asked.”

Created in April 2020 in response to the first national lockdown, FoodCycle’s Check-in and Chat service is also available to local residents. Helping to combat the rising issue of social isolation, volunteers call guests for a weekly natter and lend an ear to those who feel lonely.

FoodCycle West Heath is looking to recruit new volunteers and Project Leaders. Flexible volunteer roles without a minimum time commitment are open to anyone and include food collection, surplus food coordinators, cooking, hosting and running Projects.

FoodCycle operates Projects across Birmingham in the following locations:

FoodCycle Falcon Lodge at Birmingham Falcon Lodge Community Centre, Churchill Road, Sutton Coldfield, B75 7LB every Monday from 3–4pm

FoodCycle Birmingham Kingstanding at Birmingham Settlement, 610 Kingstanding Road, B44 9SH every Saturday from 1-2pm

NEW: West Heath Community Centre, Hampstead House, Condover Road, B31 3QY every Sunday from 1pm–2pm

For more information visit foodcycle.org.uk.