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The Second Helping: keep the shelves full this school holidays

The the Second Helping pantry in Birmingham is running low just as demand rises; $2,150 will stock it for 12 weeks.

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง United Kingdom1,540 views
Zoey Cook
Email verifiedAddress verifiedDriver licence verified
Birmingham
Since 2021, our volunteer team has run the Second Helping every Wednesday from the back of a community center. We started with 10 families, and now we feed 391 each week. Donations have dropped by about 52% this school holidays, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 7 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the Birmingham market and keep every receipt. Each $25 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $2,150 goes: โ€ข Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $1,400 โ€ข Refrigeration and electricity: $170 โ€ข Baby formula and diapers: $580 Thank you for reading my story.

Updates from Zoey

No updates yet. Supporters are notified when the owner posts one.

  • Ryan J. Rios ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ยท $20

    โ€œHope it all works out.โ€

  • Aishwarya A. Modi ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $100
  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $50

    โ€œWish I could do more. Hope you get the rest soon.โ€

  • Benny Eli Shalom ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฑ ยท $30

    โ€œHappy to help!โ€

  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $20

    โ€œFrom Paris with love.โ€

  • Diya D. Patel ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ยท $50
  • Ifeanyi Michael Anyanwu ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $25
  • Olumide Yinka Williams ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $25
  • Alejandra S. Ramรญrez ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ยท $10
  • Ruth Imani Barasa ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ฟ ยท $30
  • Verรณnica T. Cordero ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $10
  • Farhan Muhammad Qazi ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ ยท $50

    โ€œHope things get better.โ€

  • Eva N. Black ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ยท $50

    โ€œWish I could do more. Small amount but sent with love.โ€

  • Zoey Harper ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $100
  • Levi Parks ๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บ ยท $50

    โ€œHope this helps. Small amount but sent with love.โ€

  • Sadie D. Morales ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ ยท $25
  • Chiara Ruggiero ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡น ยท $10
  • Usman Umar Bhatti ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ ยท $20

    โ€œGood luck. I'm in Rawalpindi, thinking of you.โ€

  • Daniela Florina Florea ๐Ÿ‡ท๐Ÿ‡ด ยท $25
  • Weston L. Brooks ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ยท $62

Reviews

2.9(18 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Zeeshan Kakar๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐVerified helper
    Great help in a difficult time

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Jonathan Dixon๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡งVerified helper
    Truly grateful for the support

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Novi Lestari๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉVerified helper
    Went above and beyond

    The support I received was beyond what I expected. Not only did they help with the immediate need, but they also provided guidance for long-term solutions. I'm forever grateful.

  • Pamela K. Young๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡บVerified helper
    Restored my faith in humanity

    I was nervous about reaching out, but this person made me feel comfortable and supported from the very first interaction. Their help was invaluable.

  • Hugo Collet๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ทVerified helper
    Really cared about my situation

    I had a complex problem and this person helped me navigate it step by step. Their expertise combined with their kindness made all the difference.

  • Bennett Carroll๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Exceeded expectations

    The support I received was beyond what I expected. Not only did they help with the immediate need, but they also provided guidance for long-term solutions. I'm forever grateful.

  • Anika Dutta๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ฉVerified helper
    Outstanding person

    The help I received was exactly what was described and more. This person follows through on their commitments and genuinely cares about making a positive impact.

  • Nikhil P. Rawat๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Really cared about my situation

    This experience has restored my faith in the goodness of people. The helper was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my outcome.

  • Pranav Rajput๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified donor
    Trustworthy helper

    I was going through a tough time and this person's support was invaluable. They didn't judge, just helped. That kind of genuine compassion is rare these days.

  • Maliha Pramanik๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Trustworthy helper

    I had a complex problem and this person helped me navigate it step by step. Their expertise combined with their kindness made all the difference.

  • Hugo P. Ochoa๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝVerified helper
    Amazing support system

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Rachel H. Ngcobo๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆVerified donor
    Quick response, great follow-up

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Mary Maina๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฌVerified donor
    Made me feel heard

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

  • Mehmet Sarฤฑ๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ทVerified donor
    Would recommend to anyone

    Couldn't have asked for better support. They listened carefully, understood my situation deeply, and provided thoughtful advice that actually worked. Thank you so much.

  • Vivian A. Young๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆVerified helper
    Genuine person with a big heart

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Charlotte Foster๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Exceeded expectations

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

  • Huda Bakr๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ทVerified helper
    Helped when no one else could

    This is what community support looks like. They didn't just offer generic advice; they provided personalized help tailored to my specific situation.

  • Unathi G. Mabaso๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆVerified donor
    Delivered on promises

    I was skeptical at first, but this person proved to be reliable and genuinely interested in helping. Their response time was incredible and their solutions were practical.

Questions & comments

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  • Rafiq Faruk SultanaQuestionID verified

    Does the money go straight to the wholesaler or to you?

    • Zoey CookOwnerAnswerAddress verifiedID verified

      I get the payout and then pay the wholesaler. Every payment goes in the updates. Thanks for asking.

  • hang in there, Zoey. Shared it with a few friends. Please keep us posted

    • Has the shopping receipts been checked by the HelpBLESS team?

      • Zoey CookOwnerAnswerAddress verifiedID verified

        Yes. It's with the moderators already, and I'll share a blurred copy here too. It helps to be asked.

    • Thanks for sharing this, Zoey. I hope things turn around soon

      • Can I help in a way that isn't money? I'm near Birmingham.

        • Zoey CookOwnerAnswerAddress verifiedID verified

          Thank you. If you're in Birmingham I'll say if something practical comes up. For now sharing this is great. Thanks for asking.

      • Sending good thoughts, Zoey. Everyone deserves a bit of help sometimes.

        • Have you tried the local church? They sometimes help with part of this.

          • Good luck. I've been in a tough spot myself and it does get easier.

            • Take care, Zoey. Looking forward to the next update. Wish I lived closer to Mysuru so I could bring a meal. All the best.

              $1,742 raised of $2,150

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