Over one million people used the support of food banks in the UK. A third of these were children.

Due to a mixture of the rising cost of living; of food and fuel, unemployment and underemployment, stagnant incomes and changes to benefits – there has been a large increase in the numbers of people and families being referred to food banks.

Redundancy, illness, benefit delay, domestic violence, debt, family breakdown and paying for the additional costs of heating during winter are just some of the reasons why people go hungry.

In partnership with Sparkhill Foodbank and local charity Narthex, the Trust is operating a food and clothing collection point to which members of staff, patients or visitors can donate food items to help those in real need.

As a result of this partnership, staff are be able to use this resource to help patients when they are discharged from hospital by giving a food or clothing parcel to patients in need of support. This may also come in the form of a Trussell Trust referral voucher, which can be redeemed at a food bank for a three day supply of food.

Food banks are about more than food. People who are referred to them are also offered practical and emotional support by signposting other agencies, whether that is financial advice or counselling services or in some cases help with clothing to help get them back on their feet.

If you are able to donate, you can do so at the Faith and Community Centre, Level 1, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB), or via the collection point in the Atrium (Main Entrance, Ground Floor, QEHB) near the main passenger lifts. Our volunteers or reception staff can help if you are unsure where to go.

Staff members are able to donate at the collection point at the B1 Staff Entrance.

For food donations, please supply items from this list:

• Milk (UHT or powdered)
• Sugar
• Fruit juice (carton)
• Soup
• Pasta sauces
• Tinned sponge pudding
• Tinned tomatoes
• Cereals
• Tinned rice pudding
• Tea bags/instant coffee
• Instant mash potato
• Rice/pasta
• Tinned meat/fish
• Tinned fruit
• Jam
• Biscuits
• Snack bars

For donations of clothing, please supply items from this list:

• Trousers/skirts
• Tops (both long and short-sleeved)
• Jumpers
• Coats
• Basic (new) underwear for men and women
• Shoes

We ask that your donations of clothes are respectful in their design, are clean, undamaged, and don’t contain any offensive slogans.

Your donations of food and clothing will help to keep vulnerable people warm and fed at a time of crisis.

Thank you.