Alan Whitehead MP ‘proud of Southampton’ food work

Alan Whitehead MP has visited Love Southampton partners The Big Difference at Above Bar Church, showing yet again the hugely positively links that have been established between local government and Christian aid groups working to support the city through the coronavirus pandemic.

Here’s what he had to say:

“This makes me really proud of Southampton. It’s living evidence of all sections of the community coming together to deal with one of the tremendous problems in our society in the moment, and working in a humane and straightforward way to get it sorted. That’s the big impression here - it’s no nonsense business, getting on with the task in hand very efficiently, and with little resources too! It’s warming to see it happen.”

The Big Difference - alongside Basics Bank, Love Your Neighbour and others as part of a broader network of food providers - has been instrumental in Love Southampton’s food provision across the city. Shifting from a weekly breakfast (Big Breakfast, hoping to restart in 2021) to a major food distribution hub helping feed the homeless (with 3688 packed lunches going to those housed in B&Bs), supporting 9 schools on the east of city with their holiday hunger projects, as well supporting 18 other food aid programs run by smaller groups and organisations. In total, The Big Difference has given out 4111 food parcels, 720 homeless packed lunches on the street and 39630 frozen meals, and are currently feeding an estimated 250 people per week. The value of the food distributed so far comes to an astonishing £222,450 (Dec 2020). Southampton City Council have also committed to working with The Big Difference for 2 years, with a particular focus on the east of the city. More details on this partnership are expected in the new year. 

Sanjay, who leads The Big Difference, said this: 

“What started off as a breakfast that served our guests every Thursday, 50 weeks a year, for about 100 people, has adapted to serve 1000s of families in crisis all over our city. I believe the need next year will be even greater due to increased financial difficulty. But what is exciting for me is the number of people that we are now helping in the city, and the difference it’s making. God has opened so many doors for us - this is the opportunity of a lifetime, to be in a position to help our city and make a real positive impact. I would also like to thank Love Southampton for pulling all the different communities together. I really believe we will make a Big Difference to our city.”

The work being done by Love Southampton and our constituent organisations would not be possible without the commitment and dedication of the hundreds of volunteers from across the Christian community, many of whom have been serving the city tirelessly since March. Co-ordinating and allocating this workforce of volunteers to the right areas and organisations has been a key part of our city-wide role.

Through Love Southampton - this broad network of volunteers, churches and organisations - the Church in Southampton has stepped up to provide a clear, co-ordinated and effective means of support for anyone struggling for food during this pandemic and beyond. The message from the Church is clear: There is hope. 

To find out more about our city-wide provision, take a look at our food network.

#ThereIsHope