Food poverty

There are many reasons why families find themselves unable to afford, or to have access to food and a healthy diet.  Food poverty can be caused by a crisis in finances or personal circumstances.  For example, low wages, disability, the loss of a job, an unexpected expense, family bereavement or illness.  Food poverty in the UK is rising due to increased living costs, and many families and individuals are using food banks for the first time.

Giving alms has always been an important part of lent.  In this Jubilee Year, we invite you to give generously to The Wellspring Charity, which you can read about below.

The Wellspring charity was started in 1990 by Fr Con Botter, who was the parish priest of St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Stockport.

He had known hunger and deprivation as a child when interned as a prisoner of war and his family experienced homelessness and poverty afterwards. Years later, he and his parishioners responded to the needs of  people in the area who were experiencing hardship, by setting up the Wellspring Kitchen . 

Based now in Harvey Street, The Wellspring opens every day of the year, with staff and volunteers providing help for local people who are homeless or at risk of losing their homes. They provide free meals, offer hygiene facilities, tailored health and wellbeing support and advice and referrals on a wide range of issues, all in a welcoming, non-judgemental atmosphere.

The Wellspring website gives further information and outlines various ways of supporting the charity. During Lent we are collecting donations of dried or tinned food such as pasta, rice, baked beans, tinned vegetables, sauces, biscuits, crackers, long life drinks etc.