A volunteer for a pop-up food bank run by a Sikh community is reportedly helping a "growing number" of people struggling in their town.
BBC has spoken to Raj Bassan who helps run a monthly service from the Gurdwara Sahib in Northampton, which was set up when the town’s night shelter shut due to the Covid pandemic. According to the broadcaster, last year about 30 people attended each month, but it has since risen to 80.
The Gurdwara Sahib, on Cromwell Street, was able to set up the food bank after receiving £10,000 from a coronavirus fund created by TV broadcaster and finance expert Martin Lewis. It started in July and has since helped hundreds of people with food, toiletries and cleaning products. The money has also gone towards providing a local primary school with parcels for vulnerable families, and producing meals for the homeless every Tuesday.
In his statement to the BBC, he said, “It feels sad to see the growing number of people in this situation. We are humbly grateful to see the response, smiles and gratitude of the people we help. Some of the stories are so heartwarming. People have come out of depression and found a job and will send us a note to tell us 'we don't need the food anymore and are so grateful you helped us.
"We don't look at paperwork, or their status - we just want to help regardless. At Christmas we went a step further and gave chocolates and presents for children.”
