Food bank hands out 18,000 tins of beans in nine months

Tuesday 29 December 2020

The Salvation Army’s food bank has distributed around 2,000 tins of baked beans and 1.3 tons of rice and pasta every single month over the past nine months.

The Salvation Army is an international evangelical Christian charity.

Here in Jersey, the local branch of the Salvation Army offer a diverse range of services to help the most vulnerable members of society, including group meetings, a charity shop and a community cafe.

Express spoke to members of Jersey's branch of the Salvation Army about their struggles during 2020 and hopes for the coming year...

How has 2020 been different for your charity?

"Our community and social work is fuelled by our worship – as a Christian Church and Charity, meeting together is so important. How we do this has changed a lot over 2020 using paper or online and we are looking forward to being able to meet in person again in 2021. All are welcome to join in with our Church community – a group of people living life in a way that seeks to follow Jesus."

Pictured: Meeting together is hugely important for the Salvation Army volunteers.

What are your feelings towards 2021?

"As 2021 approaches, many of us are looking forward to the new year: the prospect of new opportunities, hopes and aspirations. 

"At The Salvation Army, we are excited and optimistic for what the new year will hold. 

"Over the past 140 years, we have worked hard to support those experiencing difficulty. In 2021, our mission continues: wherever there is hardship or injustice, The Salvation Army will live, love and fight alongside others, to transform Jersey with the love of Jesus."

What plans do you have in place for the coming year?

"We are committed to playing our part in the recovery from the COVID pandemic. Part of this will be running our food bank, which in partnership with others, has distributed around 12 tons of rice and pasta, and 18,000 tins of baked beans in the past 9 months. There are lots of unknowns ahead of us, but we will work hard to identify ways to bring hope to people in crisis.

"We have high hopes for our community café in the coming year. Our daily free homemade soups will continue, as will the offer of a warm welcome and practical support. We hope to hold some exciting events to promote and raise awareness of a number of important causes.

Pictured: The Salvation Army's free homemade soup will continue daily throughout 2021.

"Our charity shop is open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with a range of men’s, women’s and children’s clothes, as well as gifts, books and all kinds of quirky bits and bobs. A great place for affordable clothes that not only raises funds, beautifully ethical way to buy clothes but also provides opportunities to help people get back into work, find friendship and build confidence.  

"We look forward to the Spring and hope we will be able to deliver our gardening project this year. It is all about using horticulture as a therapy for adults with learning disabilities and mental health challenges. 

Pictured: The Salvation Army's gardening project helps adults with learning disabilities and mental health challenges. 

"In the next 12 months, we are excited about developing a vacant part of our premises, creating accommodation for families in difficult circumstances and offering support to help them flourish."

For any further information about the Salvation Army's work or how to get involved, call the office (open Monday to Friday) on 01534 735472, or email alice.nunn@salvationarmy.org.uk.