I have worked for twenty years in Bradford tackling homelessness and food insecurity. Reading Grace+Truth over the years has helped me to reflect on the approach I have taken.
Its good to be self-critical and I have always been challenged by the thought that our work might be part of the problem rather than part of the solution.
Addressing poverty means holding tensions in balance: between charity and justice and also between serving and empowering people. Everything we do should seek to set captives free, not imprison them further!
Embarrassed
I often reflect on my experience as a working single parent in the 1980s when I was eligible for food vouchers. At the local Rotary Club, I could exchange my vouchers for two packs of European butter and two tins of stewed steak. The Rotarians were kind but I felt embarrassed and disempowered.
My work to address food poverty has been influenced by these experiences. In the churches where the food banks operated, we added to what was being done by making fresh fruit, vegetables and bread available. We also began teaching people how to cook this kind of good, healthy food. This lead us to setting up food pantries where people pay a small amount for the food they need.
The move towards establishing a pantry model was mocked by some. I was told we just need to give away food parcels. Yet I kept hearing from God about setting the captives free. And food isn’t free. I saw that people, given a decent choice, don’t choose charity.
Against the tide
Our FoodSavers project offers high quality fresh and store cupboard food for a low weekly membership fee (typically £6). Much of our food is unwanted or surplus food, intercepted from being wasted. Membership also gives you the opportunity to attend cookery classes, save in a recognised Credit Union scheme, and enjoy other benefits, such as haircuts or volunteering.
But in establishing this work we have to had to go against the tide of the free food parcels being given out. We were told it would never take off. We were even accused of exploiting vulnerable people by charging a small membership fee. We were told poor people had no money so they would never be able to save into a Credit Union.
But this month’s figures in Bradford shows us 430 people have saved over £47,500 pounds this year. In addition, they have saved over £650,000 on their weekly shopping. In November we launched in Leeds and earlier this year we launched in Calderdale.
Empowering
Its exciting to see volunteers start to feel they are part of the solution, its exciting to hear people ask questions about the faith which motivates our work. And it exciting to see the dignity in people’s eyes as they are paying their membership.
Our pilot study in Bradford has painted a compelling picture of guests accessing the FoodSavers service feeling empowered to feed their families, pleased at having the choice and flexibility to pick their own food and grateful to contribute towards feeding themselves rather than relying on handouts. As one lady said:
I came in feeling suicidal and I am leaving feeling I have HOPE.
One of the positives that came from the pandemic is that poverty is not a dirty word anymore. It can no longer be swept under the charity carpet. The world has seen that the Church and faith groups have stepped up and made a difference.
But we must keep stepping up and keep the focus on setting captives free.
Fences or ambulances?
I’ll end by sharing the first 2 stanzas of a poem by Joseph Malins, written in 1895:
‘Twas a dangerous cliff, as they freely confessed,
Though to walk near its crest was so pleasant;
But over its terrible edge there had slipped
A duke and full many a peasant.
So the people said something would have to be done,
But their projects did not at all tally;
Some said, “Put a fence ’round the edge of the cliff,”
Some, “An ambulance down in the valley.”
But the cry for the ambulance carried the day,
For it spread through the neighbouring city;
A fence may be useful or not, it is true,
But each heart became full of pity
For those who slipped over the dangerous cliff;
And the dwellers in highway and alley
Gave pounds and gave pence, not to put up a fence,
But an ambulance down in the valley.
(see in comments section for rest of the poem)
Juli Thompson is the CEO of Inn Churches.
Jon adds: Please check out the brilliant work that Juli is doing in Bradford. Also, you might be interested in this longer article where I discuss three priorities for the future of Christian social action: Justice, Empowerment and Faith.
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Thank you Juli for this message, my mum was single parent to 3 and with bad depression and the best I ever saw her was when she got a job, she couldn’t manage it for long but it showed what she needed was not charity but being part of society and support to be part of society.
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Thank you for the comment Manu. When we need it, it is right that society should be supportive through charitable giving. However I find most people want to give back too, when we prevent that opportunity to give back then charity becomes disempowering.
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The rest of the poem:
“For the cliff is all right, if you’re careful,” they said,
“And, if folks even slip and are dropping,
It isn’t the slipping that hurts them so much
As the shock down below when they’re stopping.”
So day after day, as these mishaps occurred,
Quick forth would those rescuers sally
To pick up the victims who fell off the cliff,
With their ambulance down in the valley.
Then an old sage remarked: “It’s a marvel to me
That people give far more attention
To repairing results than to stopping the cause,
When they’d much better aim at prevention.
Let us stop at its source all this mischief,” cried he,
“Come, neighbours and friends, let us rally;
If the cliff we will fence, we might almost dispense
With the ambulance down in the valley.”
“Oh, he’s a fanatic,” the others re-joined,
“Dispense with the ambulance? Never!
He’d dispense with all charities, too, if he could;
No! No! We’ll support them forever.
Aren’t we picking up folks just as fast as they fall?
And shall this man dictate to us? Shall he?
Why should people of sense stop to put up a fence,
While the ambulance works in the valley?”
But the sensible few, who are practical too,
Will not bear with such nonsense much longer;
They believe that prevention is better than cure,
And their party will soon be the stronger.
Encourage them then, with your purse, voice, and pen,
And while other philanthropists dally,
They will scorn all pretence, and put up a stout fence
On the cliff that hangs over the valley.
Better guide well the young than reclaim them when old,
For the voice of true wisdom is calling.
“To rescue the fallen is good, but ’tis best
To prevent other people from falling.”
Better close up the source of temptation and crime
Than deliver from dungeon or galley;
Better put a strong fence ’round the top of the cliff
Than an ambulance down in the valley.
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