COMMUNITY champion Anthony Theophanous, aka ‘Fat Theo’, met with Bromsgrove District councillors on January 19, to discuss foodbank provision across the area.
The councillors form part of a cross-party task group set up in December to look at how foodbanks and community supermarkets were working across the district.
The aim is to assess the various operational models employed by different foodbank providers, to identify needs and make recommendations for improving the provision as needed.
The Foodbank and Community Supermarket Provision Task Group comprises of councillors Alan Bailes, Esther Gray, Bakul Kumar, Peter McDonald, David Nicholl, and David Stewart.
Anthony set up a foodbank in Sidemoor in October, as part of his bid to create a better area for local residents. The foodbank now forms part of the recently established Sidemoor Community Project, a not-for-profit organisation based at The Duke of York Pub on Broad Street which Anthony runs.
Foodbank drop-in sessions take place at the pub between 8am and 12pm on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Speaking about the Task Group, Coun Esther Gray said: “Every place we go to we identify something different regarding operational procedures or the need for help in specific areas related to running a foodbank.”
Anthony added: “Chatting with the councillors was really helpful.
“It’s difficult to run a community hub in a pub but for the time being The Duke of York is doubling up as a community centre.
“Looking to the future it would be great to have stand-alone premises which could truly become the much-needed community hub for Sidemoor.”
The findings of the Foodbank and Community Supermarket Provision Task Group are due to be published in the spring.
