BROMSGROVE community champion Anthony Theophanous has opened a new foodbank in Sidemoor as part of his bid to create a hub of help in the community.
Anthony, aka Fat Theo, officially opened the foodbank at the Duke of York pub, which he runs, on Wednesday.
Picture by JMC photography. s
Those struggling will be able to access the service between 8am and midday every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
People will be able to turn up at the foodbank, take what they want and leave with no questions asked.
Anthony said he has seen first-hand the struggles people are facing, with members of his family volunteering at other food banks.
He told the Standard: “This is a remarkable community and we’ve already had so many people volunteering or donating.
“It’s been a humbling, feel-good experience, the other day two ordinary guys who drink in the pub spent £100 in the supermarket and donated it all to the foodbank.
“I didn’t want people to worry about the stigma of getting a food parcel, although it’s nothing to be ashamed of, so I decided to run the foodbank before the pub opens.
“People do want to help they just don’t know how and this gives them the opportunity.”
Local business Nationwide Racking has offered to install racks at a currently unused room in the Duke of York to help support the food bank, while local councillor Graeme Stewart has also played a big part in setting the project up.
The foodbank is a major step forward in Anthony’s Sidemoor Community Project.
He already hosts a knitting session at the Duke of York, and he is also looking to introduce mental health support, regular coffee mornings and debt management clinics.
Anthony is also in the process of setting up his own community interest company.
He added: “We want the project to be regulated, I think it’s important to ensure we are accountable because people are being so generous.
“I wasn’t aware of quite how much people are struggling, so anything we can do to try and improve the quality of life for this fabulous community we want to help with.”
Email [email protected] or message Fat Theo’s Facebook page on Messenger to donate to the foodbank, to volunteer or for any other suggestions on how to improve the community.
