Churches in southwestern England have launched a ministry that takes a food bank to the people instead of having them come to it.
The mobile food ministry, named the YUM Project (You + Us = More), was launched by local churches in the Devon area of southern England. The project involves using a converted minibus to give people access to food when they aren’t able to get to fixed location-based food support systems.
The project includes both a food bank and a social supermarket. Social supermarkets operate using a membership model that is typically based on income and resource scarcity. They provide discounted food that comes from mainstream retailers’ surplus stock.
The YUM service will be available five days a week in community centers and church car parks. Torbay United, a coalition of community organizations and churches that engage in serving those in need in Devon, operates the food project.
Premier Christian News reports:
A new mobile food project run by local churches has been launched in Devon.
The YUM Project (You + Us = More) will run from a converted minibus, with a view to reaching people who might find it hard to access current food support schemes in a fixed location. It includes a social supermarket as well as a foodbank.
The service will operate five days a week across Torbay using church car parks and community centres.
The project is being run by Torbay United – which is a collective of churches and community organisations serving people in need in Torquay, Paignton and Brixham – and south west community interest company Asend.
Rev’d Nathan Kiyaga, from Torbay United, said :
“We are delighted to be working with our partners at Asend.SW CIC to deliver this vital provision for our community.
“Such services can only be achieved when people decide to work together for the common good.”
Torbay United was awarded £120,000 as part of the Faith New Deal pilot fund from the government announced last year.
Giles Fearnley, Lay Chair of Torbay Church of England Deanery, said :
“After months of hard work by so many, it is great to be celebrating the launch of this much needed mobile food provision.
“The Government’s grant is enabling Churches across Torbay to work together and mobilise volunteers to deliver very practical support for those who most need it in our community.”
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