At a lunchtime gathering at St. Nicholas Church today, Reverend Paul Smith introduced a talk by Philip Bingham, the Abingdon Food Bank manager. (Paul can be seen in front of a monument to the Blacknall Family who bequeathed money for bread to be given for the poor.)

Mr Bingham said the food bank began out of a cupboard at Christ Church 15 years ago. It has grown, and with the support of The Vineyard Church, who set up an outlet at Preston Road Community Centre 6 years ago, serves North and South Abingdon and villages.

The Food Bank operates twice weekly at Christ Church and once weekly at Preston Road. Last year, it provided support to 616 families, representing approximately 4-5% of the local population.

Mr. Bingham spoke of the ongoing need for the Food Bank, which is part of the Trussell Trust, a national network with over 400 food banks. Referrals come from various sources, such as Social Services, Citizens’ Advice, and schools. The Food Bank provides a range of essential items, from tinned and fresh food and toiletries to baby supplies.

Tim, a volunteer, spoke of the Food Bank’s role in supporting refugees and those facing difficult circumstances such as family break ups. Most need it for a short time, perhaps while waiting benefits, but some use it for longer.

The Food Bank also collaborates with other local initiatives, such as the Abingdon Larder at Trinity Church and Abingdon Fridge on Hadland Road Community Centre, to minimise food waste. (The Larder gets food from SOFEA in Didcot and the three organisations transfer surplus fresh food between themselves.)

The Food Bank relies on both direct food donations (over 50%) and food bought from money donations (over 40%). Local businesses also contribute.

A clothing bank operates three Fridays a month.

The talk was followed by a Q&A session, prayers for the foodbank (the talk was part of The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity) and refreshments. Tomorrow’s talk, the second of five, is on refugees.

At St Michael and All Angels Church last Saturday there was an art and craft fair together with a jumble sale

There were lots of stalls and every corner was taken. Even the font served as a display area for clothes and bags.

You could guess the name of the bear to win a bear, and guess where Reverend Paul Smith was hidden on a grid of the church and win a box of biscuits. I did not see Paul who must be extra busy these days now Revd Charles Millar has moved away.

Handbell ringers provided musical enjoyment, and a representative from Flexicare shared his story. As the parent of a disabled child, he was grateful for the organisation’s trained sitters, who enable parents to attend events and outings like school meetings or the cinema. He now volunteers for Flexicare, who help families within a ten-mile radius of Oxford, including Abingdon. Half the money raised from the event went to Flexicare, and half to church funds.

Ride and Stride takes place on the second Saturday of September, every year. Eight Abingdon churches and 650 Oxfordshire churches participated this year.

Participants cycle, walk, use mobility scooters, and other methods to get between churches, and sign in along the way. They can create their own routes, or use the Ride and Stride website to create a route plan round their selected churches.

Participants are often sponsored. The money raised is split between their church and the Oxfordshire Churches Trusts, which funds church repairs and renovations.

Trinity Church welcomed visitors from Abingdon, Cholsey, Culham, Cumnor, Drayton, Oxford, Radley, Upton, Wallingford and West Hendred. The Upton visitor was an 86-year-old gentleman who cycled. He plays the organ – a much sought after skill these days.

Two regular riders and striders from St Nicolas Church enjoyed the refreshments at Trinity, and raised a cup of squash to wish blog readers a good day when I said I would put this on the Blog.