The Conference recess, which takes place at this time of year to enable the political party conferences to be held up and down the country, offers a good opportunity to get out and about in Brentwood and Ongar.
In the coming days I’ll be posting pictures and information about my conversation with the Leader of Brentwood Borough Council, Cllr Barry Aspinell, my meeting with the wonderful Ron Ridge, who has been shortlisted for an NHS Parliamentary Award, and my exercise class with the Brentwood Parkinson’s Support Group.
But this week I need to put out an appeal for the Brentwood Foodbank. The foodbank was set up eleven years ago and runs from the Doddinghurst Road Community Church in Brentwood. It’s seen the number of people using it, especially since the Covid pandemic, rise in those years, and this year has supported 8113 people one some way or another.
While the ‘front of house’ work for food collections, support for overcoming additions, housing advice and friendly chat takes place at the church, under the wonderfully friendly eye of Pastor Peter Graham, the Foodbank has also had a number of storage facilities over the years in which it keeps the thirty tonnes of food it collects and distributes each year. These have included offices waiting to be let, buildings awaiting redevelopment and, currently, a space owned by Brentwood Borough Council. However, the current storage space is due for redevelopment so the Brentwood Foodbank is looking for a new facility.
If you are a business, or a developer with an empty building, or a person with some land to spare, the Brentwood Foodbank would love to hear from you at [email protected]. Ideally these need about 160 square metres for stock, shelves and equipment, easy access for vans and cars delivering and collecting the stock, a toilet and heating – all in central Brentwood.
It’s not an easy ask or a quick win, but if you think you can help please do contact the team.
