What is BCP and what do we do?
Broxtowe Community Projects (BCP) is a community charity run almost entirely by volunteers helping local people living in poverty. Financial crisis is severe and hits people's lives very hard, and it can hit anyone e.g. when they lose their job, have health problems, or their relationship breaks down. 'It's absolutely gutting' said one foodbank member, 'there's no money, debts spiral, your whole life is wrecked and you've got no idea how you're going to live'. More new people are coming to the foodbank needing help this year. They're upset and overwhelmed. Many of our volunteers have had similar life experiences, they gently talk to new arrivals get an idea of their situation. As an outcome these vulnerable people start feeling supported and informed as and their many questions about ‘what to do’ are answered by trained experienced volunteers; many people don't have family or friends who can help them. They get a 7-day foodbag for their whole family. People start thinking about priorities and the next steps to sort out of their situation. But it’s a huge task to rebuild your life during in a financial crisis - especially for families with children, because everyone is effected. People need good reliable non-judgmental advice, signposting to free expert support services and practical help like foodbags so they and their families can eat and wash – and all this is what BCP provides while respecting people’s dignity and choices.
Our appeal
All the money we raise will go towards helping adults, children, elderly, people with disabilities or serious health issues who are living in food poverty this Winter in our local community.
BCP really needs your help because we've had less support this year - the cost-of-living crisis, rising bills many people and local businesses have less money for their own needs, and are less able to donate to charities that help families and individuals in the community who are having a very tough time right now just trying to survive. People who can't afford to buy food to feed themselves or their children, can't afford to run their fridge, cook a meal or heat their home. People who eat mainly because of BCP foodbank - because our volunteers collect unwanted food and make up food bags for people to take home, or, they attend one of our social community meals where our volunteers prepare and cook surplus 'good to eat' food so that families, adults and children can eat a free hot meal. It's amazing and wonderful that over 100 local people volunteer their time and energy every month to help by collecting, bagging, distributing food bags, and/or cooking community shared hot meals. In 2022, BCP distributed around 3,000 foodbags, which fed about 9,000 meals to hungry people. We need your donation because this year BCP is really struggling to collect enough surplus food from supermarkets and individuals, and, afford to buy low-cost food and vegetables from farmers, markets & food wholesalers.
