Merry Hill teams up with Black Country Foodbank to support those in need

Based in Brierley Hill, BCFB supports 26 local food banks and plays a vital role in providing emergency food, toiletries, and essential supplies to individuals and families in crisis, while they receive support from agencies to access the help they need. The charity also has several other collaborative projects including a community food garden, recipe bag cookery project and a listening and signposting service.

Backed by a network of 75 partner projects – including community kitchens, homeless support, disability support groups, and women's aid refuges - the charity helped to distribute over 500,000 meals to more than 50,000 people last year alone.

Merry Hill recently conducted an independent local needs assessment to better understand the challenges facing communities across the West Midlands. The findings highlighted that there is a portion of local residents experiencing hardship and may benefit from support provided by organisations like BCFB. In response, Merry Hill is strengthening its commitment to investing in its immediate areas, working alongside local partners to help ensure the community not only receives the support it needs, but is empowered to thrive.

Over the coming year, Merry Hill will work closely with the charity to make it easier for local shoppers to donate the items most needed, helping ensure vital support reaches people quickly, where it's needed most. Food and toiletry donation points will be introduced across the centre, with shoppers receiving weekly updates via the My Merry Hill app highlighting items in high demand.

In addition to this, Merry Hill has already made a £2,000 donation, funding the sponsorship of one of the charity’s vehicles, which delivers essential items across the Black Country, supporting their network of foodbanks and the wider community.

The partnership has also supported moments of joy for families in need. Ahead of Easter this year Merry Hill and the Food Bank donated 500 Easter eggs to children to add a little extra seasonal cheer for local families over the holidays.

Jonathan Poole, Centre Manager at Merry Hill said: “The support that the Black Country Food Bank provides for our local community is invaluable and we are incredibly proud to be partnering with them.

As a centre, we are dedicated to fostering growth and prosperity with our area. Working with the food bank is one way we hope to make a positive mark.

With BCFB’s distribution centre so close to Merry Hill , we have the opportunity to offer practical support to those facing hardship right on our doorstep. Over the coming months, we’re looking forward to finding new ways to support the charity and work together with our visitors to make a difference.”

Keeley Jones (Deputy CEO and Operations Manager) at Black Country Foodbank added: “We’re incredibly grateful to have the support of Merry Hill, especially as we head into summer, when demand for our services is particularly high.

Partnerships like this help us reach more people in need by providing essential donations and we’re looking forward to working with the team to make a real and lasting impact across our community.