Kidderminster Soroptimists acknowledged the United Nations World Food Day on 16 October with a donation to the new Kidderminster Food Bank. Club members are volunteering their time to help with the distribution of goods and donating non-perishable foods. Since opening, the Food Bank, based at Baxter Church in Kidderminster, has already helped a significant number of individuals and families in the area.

A 1940s Charity Jubilee Tea Dance held on a September Sunday in Mamble raised £250 for the Food Bank. It was a fun day celebrating all things 40s with a Ration Buffet featuring Hare Pie and Corned Beef Hash, Spam Sandwiches, home-made pickles and finishing off with canned peaches with evaporated milk served with cider and fruit cup. Members and friends dressed in style for the occasion. They swung to the Glenn Miller Band and sung to Vera Lynn. A display of memorabilia completed the 1940s atmosphere.

President Hilary remarked: ‘This year the Club’s support of the Food Bank was an excellent way to recognise World Food Day and provide much needed funds to support the work of the Food Bank amongst the hungry people in the area. The 1940s Tea Dance was a lot of fun and reminded us of the days when the variety of food was restricted but still very nutritious. It is a sad fact that food poverty means people are eating poor diets or not at all. Food is the ‘flexible’ budget item, and individuals pay the price, most often Mums, children and the single homeless, for whom statutory agencies have no choice but to refer for real practical help.’

On World Food Day Soroptimists around the world also sought to address this imbalance by raising awareness of the issues, advocating acceptable changes and contributing to the relief of malnutrition through education.

For more details regarding the activities and membership of the local Club, please email to kidderminstersorop@gmail.com or look at our website link on www.sigbi.org