HELPING THOSE IN NEED:

A church has opened a food bank to help people struggling. The Hope Campus, home of Today’s Community Church, is also planning to help the community with computer illiteracy and those suffering with loneliness.

Senior Pastor Minhaj Jolly, 43, from Bolton, founded The Hope Campus in 2019 in Fife, Scotland. Last week, he opened the Joyful Independent Food Bank in Hanley. Minhaj, left, said: “I’ve seen a greater increase in food banks, everyone is struggling at the moment. At our food bank we don’t do referrals so you can come in twice a week all year round.”

There will also be a grocery store opening in Lamb Street, Hanley. Called the Loving Hope Community Independent Grocery, it will open on July 4, Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm. At the community grocery, shoppers pay a £5 membership per year, then for each shop pay £2.50. Shoppers can go in up to three times per week.

Minhaj said: “As a grocery, people can get their confidence back and not feel ashamed like they might feel going to a food bank.” Another programme which opened last week is the Hope Campus Home-start Programme, also on Lamb Street. It’s a project that supports people who have been in domestic abuse relationships.

Minhaj said: “In the Homestart Programme, we will help people get the basics in what they need such as furniture and household items, all people need to do is come in and fill out a simple application form.”

The Hope Campus Home-start Programme, will also run coffee mornings to tackle loneliness as well as computer literacy workshops, open to anybody.

The Joyful Independent Food Bank is at 1 Market Square, in Hanley and is open Monday to Friday 10am – 4.30pm. To volunteer or find out more information email Minhaj at hopecampusstoke@gmail.com