Blackburn Foodbank hosted a delightful and delicious community cook-up event with residents, volunteers and members of the council.
On Thursday, October 19, the community gathered to celebrate the vital contributions that keeps the foodbank’s mission alive.
Staff at the foodbank cooked up three mouth-watering curries using the ingredients provided in the food packs to demonstrate how useful and versatile the items handed out are.
The cook up, which is run by Blackburn with Darwen Food Alliance, brought together the charity’s lead Lynne Goodacre, deputy mayor Cllr Sylvia Liddle, and Cllr Jackie Floyd.
Addressing the people in the room, Cllr Liddle said: “We’re fighting around all corners, trying to get people to cook in difficult circumstances.
"I know all too well because I experienced a good number of years as a single parent as well.
“So when you’re providing for a son and a daughter and you’re holding a job down and having to watch the pennies as well, life is very difficult.
“I’ve seen the foodbank grow and seen the support that you offer, so things are developing all the time.
"All I can say is, you all do a sterling job and thank you from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the borough.
“Keep up the good work, but I hope when the day comes, a foodbank in our town is not required.”
The curry night not only celebrated the importance of community support but also served as an educational platform, demonstrating how a simple assortment of ingredients can transform into a nourishing meal.
Gill Fourie, operations manager at Blackburn Foodbank, emphasised the foodbank’s mission to provide nutritional meals as well as advice to support families make their food go a long way.
The foodbank doesn’t give ready meals and food with added sugar, choosing to provide fresh fruit, vegetables, eggs, milk, butter and cheese from local suppliers.
Thanking the supporters, Gill said: “It’s all about community, and all about the people here and everybody that makes a difference, every single bit counts.
"A big thank you, from me, from the trustees, from the staff, from all the volunteers here, for everything you do for the foodbank. We could not do it without you.”
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