As families in Birmingham continue to struggle financially due to the pandemic, Islamic Relief UK is partnering with Masjid Al Falaah and Green Lane Mosque and Community centre (GLMCC) to help over 1000 people with winter food packs, this Friday 20 and Saturday 21 January.

GLMCC has been providing a food bank service for more than 6 years to some of the most vulnerable people in the area. It has been providing a 7-day walk-in Foodbank and in early 2021, delivered vital emergency food parcels to people self-isolating. However, the service has seen an increase in the user numbers during the pandemic with a 60% increase over the last 15 months.

Many people have been hit hard by the pandemic, including homeless people who were already struggling to feed themselves and families prioritising eating or heating as they struggle to pay their bills.

Masjid Al Falaah which provides help and support to homeless food shelters, refugees, domestic abuse survivors and schools, has seen a stark increase in the numbers of households that they are providing food for – with a 30% increase over the last six weeks.

To help some of the most vulnerable, food packs will be distributed by Islamic Relief UK and Masjid Al Falaah on Friday 20 January for a week to a homeless shelter, domestic abuse refuge, Afghan refugees and schools.

Islamic Relief UK and Green Lane Masjid will also distribute 500 food packs containing sweet and savoury items, cereals, drinks, and a selection of ambient foods, on Saturday January 22.

Muhammad Ali, Head of Services and Welfare at Green Lane Masjid, said:

“The increase in foodbank users is very concerning. People may assume users are only the homeless or single people, but our service has seen families and young children queuing to receive their weekly food. It is disheartening to see poverty on your doorstep, but we are at an advantage to be able to support. We will distribute food parcels but also continue our efforts throughout the GLMCC Welfare department to support the vulnerable in need.”

Adil Parkar General Secretary of Masjid Al Falaah commented:

It is hard to believe that in 21^st Century Britain, food deprivation is an issue that affects many families locally and nationally. Foodbanks in our city are increasingly being called on by our local authorities to support families (especially with young children) with food parcels. We, along with two other organisations now run a daily hot food distribution service along with distributing food parcels over the last few weeks. The energy price rise now is enforcing people to choose eating versus heating and our efforts with the food parcels will hopefully answer that conundrum for some of the families that will benefit with these food parcels.”

Tufail Hussain, Director of Islamic Relief UK said:

“We are proud to be working with Masjid Al-Falaah and Green Lane Masjid. These mosques are lifelines for the community in Birmingham as they help some of the most vulnerable. They show the true spirit of Islam which is charity, one of the most important pillars of faith.”

 “Both mosques are doing incredible work in Birmingham and will bring much-needed relief and support to the homeless, domestic abuse survivors, refugees and families struggling financially who would have already been going through so many difficulties.”

“It’s heart-breaking to know that families in the UK are struggling to keep themselves warm or to eat this winter. This should not be happening in one of the richest countries in the world.”

 

ENDS

 

For any press queries. please contact Haniya@greenlanemasjid.org

 

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About Green Lane Masjid & Community Centre

 

Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre is a leading UK mosque situated in the heart of Birmingham serving the community since 1979.  Operating from its award-winning grade II listed Victorian building, GLMCC fulfills its mission of inspiring, educating and serving through its educational college, outreach work, welfare services, international humanitarian wing, as well as its fully functional mosque which is attended by thousands every week.

 

Recognised internationally, GLMCC is a multi-award-winning mosque, having won the 2019 British Muslim Award for Mosque of the Year and the Beacon Awards for ‘Best Run Mosque 2019 and ‘Best Covid Response 2020’.

 

For more information about or work and services visit: www.greenlanemasjid.org

 

Or access our annual report at: https://greenlanemasjid.org/about/annual-reports/