We are all very aware of the rise in the cost of living. Unfortunately, this will put financial strain on the most vulnerable in our community. Genesis Trust and Bath Foodbank have been working over the last few months and have opened a new Foodbank Distribution Centre in Odd Down, based at St Philips and St James’ Church.

Olivia Sladden, Community and Events Facilitator at Genesis Trust and Bath Foodbank coordinator, spoke to Liza Wortelhock, Associate Priest at the church, about the future relationship between the church, Bath Foodbank and the Odd Down community.

The church organises the Matt22 project. Liza explained that Matt22 started in 2020 as the church’s social response to COVID.  Inspired by Jesus’ words in chapter 22 of Matthew’s Gospel to love our neighbour, we wanted to make sure that the most vulnerable in our community were being supported.

Q: What did you think of the idea of having a Foodbank Distribution Centre at St Philips and St James’?

Liza: Though unfortunate that we need a foodbank, having a Foodbank Distribution Centre here at St Philips is very helpful!  Matt22 is rooted in compassion, and this helps connect people into a wider network of further help.  Facilitating Bath Foodbank is the continuation of what we started in lockdown, in a more permanent and sustained way.

We are happy to be partnering with Genesis Trust and Bath Foodbank to be able to support people more effectively in our community. We believe there is power in partnering with God and partnering with each other.

Q: What impact do you think this will have on the church community and the Odd Down community as a whole?

Liza: Our prayer is to be a blessing to the community with the love of God.  We want to show them His love through loving them as He loves.

As a church family we are passionate about sharing God’s love and the transformation that comes from knowing this love.  We have a strong community here at St Philips, with many of our congregation living in Odd Down.  We seek to demonstrate this love, to bring hope where hope has been eroded and to establish a legacy of love and hope both now, and for the generation to come.

Q: What do you think the Bath Foodbank can offer other than food?

Liza: Key to our vision for Matt22 is partnership. In partnership with Genesis Trust and Bath Foodbank in Odd Down, we will be building relationships that give people a sense of being seen, known, loved and valued by God and their community.

We want to take away people’s feelings of loneliness, isolation and fear.  Foodbank may be the only time in the week where a person sees anyone or has any sort of human connection.  Our prayer is that everyone who walks through our doors will know they are loved and valued.

Olivia also spoke to the Bathavon Rotary Club before the opening of the distribution centre. They have been supporting Bath Foodbank for several years and were helping to get the new Distribution Centre ready. She spoke to two of the volunteers: Adrian and Jan.  Adrian is the president of the Bathavon Rotary for 2021-2022 and Jan has been a part of the Bathavon Rotary for eight years. They were busy painting the room in which the Distribution Centre is situated.

Q: What does it mean to you to be helping Bath Foodbank?

Adrian: We are conscious of the current cost of living situation. I suspect poverty will be on the rise, particularly during winter because of energy costs. One of the principles of rotary is to help people. We are trying to be active in the community and do something positive.

Jan: It gives us the opportunity to work together and give to the community at the same time!

Q: Do you think it is a good thing that we have a new Foodbank Distribution Centre?

Jan: It’s good to be proactive but it’s unfortunate that we must open foodbanks.

Adrian: Unfortunately, there is a need to have various foodbank centres. However, we are here to help people in need and make it easier for those who run the centre.

On behalf of Genesis Trust, Bath Foodbank and St Philip and St James’ Church, we would like to express how grateful we are to the Bathavon Rotary Club for their hard work and dedication to getting the Odd Down Foodbank Distribution Centre ready. Partnerships like these are vital to facilitating the work we do to support the most vulnerable in our community.