THIS is the story of how our drop-in, foodbank, and now Bookbanks stall, at St Jude and St Paul, Mildmay, in London, got here to be.
Just over three years ago, a small group of us — parents from the local school — felt compelled to do something easy within the face of growing need in our community. Inspired by the words of St Teresa of Calcutta, “We cannot all do great things. But we are able to do small things with great love,” we got down to make a difference, nevertheless small it is likely to be.
Our journey began with an easy idea: to supply extra food for families throughout the summer holidays of 2021, when normal free school meals were unavailable. We began with a pop-up foodbank operating out of the side entrance of our church, aimed toward families who relied on those school meals. What began as a one-month initiative quickly prolonged into September, after which October, and continued because the cost-of-living crisis deepened and brought recent challenges that we couldn’t ignore.
As the crisis endured, we realised that the necessity was far greater and more enduring than we had initially thought; so we decided to maintain going, expanding our offerings with the assistance of the Newington Green Action Group, a neighborhood charity, and a neighborhood restaurateur, who began cooking hot meals for our guests. What began as a small effort, with 20 to 30 guests outside the doors, has now grown right into a community by which 70 to 90 people gather every Tuesday within the nave of the church, at between eight to 10 tables, supported by a dedicated team of about 20 volunteers.
Along the way in which, we learned that, while food met a direct need, it didn’t solve the longer-term challenges that individuals faced. It became clear that our efforts needed to evolve beyond just providing food. That is where the thought, from considered one of our volunteers, of a Bookbanks stall, got here in — a approach to nourish minds (and spirits?) in the identical way as we were nourishing bodies.
THE Bookbanks stall, now greater than a yr old, was born out of the realisation that, just as food brings people together, so, too, can books (News, 14 June 2024). They offer a novel opportunity to encourage imagination, foster learning, and construct connections. The stall is on the front of the church as you walk in; so, when someone enters the constructing, there may be all the time a welcoming smile to greet them. It is a spot where people can find lifelines to different worlds, away from the struggles of on a regular basis life.
Annabelle WilliamsAnnabelle Williams
The Bookbanks stall has a huge effect on the mood of the room. When volunteers are handing out bags of shopping, we regularly see people moving towards the bookshelves on the front. They mingle, discuss with each other, and interact with the Bookbank volunteers. They find books for his or her children; and sometimes an easy chat a few book turns right into a deeper conversation about life.
I’ve noticed that, although people could have come originally for the food, they find yourself staying for the hospitality. They could have come to search out a warm space in the course of winter, but they stay for the welcoming community. And, although they might have arrived as individuals, they find yourself staying to make recent friends.
The Bookbanks stall contributes to this atmosphere of heat and connection. There is a improbable collection of books: the stock seems to alter more quickly than a daily bookshop’s, and includes bestsellers, classics, and recent titles. Often, volunteers will observe that conversations about books have helped to start out every kind of other conversations — not nearly books, but about life.
AS A vicar, I feel that the church at its best — through the work of things like foodbanks, bookbanks, warm spaces, and drop-ins — offers a possibility to take part in God’s welcome for all people. We turn out to be, nevertheless imperfectly, the human face of the invisible mystery of God’s love.
A definition from Henri Nouwen has stayed with me for at the least 20 years, and helps to shape what I do and the way I see a few of our work: “Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and turn out to be a friend as a substitute of an enemy. Hospitality will not be to alter people, but to supply them space where change can happen” (Reaching Out: The three movements of the spiritual life).
Looking ahead, my vision is that our Tuesday drop-in will proceed to be an open space where other ideas, just like the Bookbanks stall, can form and grow, including showing us what a recent worshipping community might appear to be on this space. I hope it would help others to see that — pretty much as good and essential because it is to work with professionals in the neighborhood — a church can be an area where change can happen: a spot where we don’t send people away, but, as a substitute, invite them in.
My prayer is that, at some point, the world will now not need foodbanks. But, until then, I’m full of joy, knowing that the Tuesday drop-in is making a difference, nevertheless small, in our community, with God’s great love.
The Revd James Hill is the Vicar of St Jude and St Paul, Mildmay Grove, within the diocese of London.
Annabelle WilliamsAnnabelle WilliamsBOOKBANKS is a registered charity, and is currently operating in 4 foodbanks in London and Norfolk; three of those are in churches. If your church hosts a foodbank and you’re occupied with partnering with Bookbanks, that is what you might want to consider:
- Is there space for Bookbanks to establish a stall in a welcoming spot at your food bank? The charity’s extensive network across the UK book industry means it would provide a wide selection of commonly refreshed high-quality books, printed materials, a team of trained volunteers with a background in books, and even occasional writer events and workshops. The church needs to supply a trestle table and space for the Bookbanks stall.
- Can the church provide space to store books on site? Bookbanks needs a minimum of 5 crates of books to be stored on the church.
- Do you’ve got robust safeguarding procedures in place? Bookbanks volunteers will report any concerns or incidents on to the church’s on-site Designated Safeguarding Lead, in addition to to the charity.
- Are you capable of help fund-raise, or do you recognize about any local grants that would help to cover either the set-up or running costs of getting a Bookbanks stall on the church? The charity’s costs are low, as they source all their books — including many brand recent ones — without spending a dime, but there are, none the less, some service costs involved, and they might welcome assist in meeting the prices of opening a recent site.
- Do you’ve got any links with the local book community, e.g. with bookshops, libraries, or authors, that Bookbanks may also help foster and develop?
- To be certain that it has the largest, best, and most responsible impact, Bookbanks currently has a slow and regular approach to expansion. The charity may not have the option to work with you immediately, but do get in contact through the shape on its website (www.bookbanks.co.uk) with any further questions, and to precise your interest.
Emily Rhodes
Founding director
