Diwali hampers to bring hope to families in need
The Diwali Basket Brigade volunteers want to help vulnerable households with rising food prices.
**Diwali hampers to bring hope to families in need**
**Around 300 volunteers packaged up food parcels at the event on Saturday**
Hundreds of volunteers have assembled food parcels for distribution to people across Birmingham who are struggling with the rising cost of living.
About 300 people attended the Diwali Basket Brigade event at the RSRS Centre in Hockley, which was organised by The Diwali Foundation.
It was the ninth time the charity has brought together community volunteers from a range of backgrounds to make hampers ahead of the religious festival.
Deepak Parekh, founder of the initiative, said: "[The] cost of living crisis hasn't gone away... but Diwali is a celebration of light over darkness, and this is our little way of bringing some light and some hope into the families that need it most."
The Diwali Foundation, which is based in Herefordshire, said more than 12% of UK households are experiencing food poverty.
It works with about forty different food banks and charities to reach vulnerable households.
So far, the charity said it has supplied around 23,470 food hampers to people in need.
Diwali Basket Brigade founder Deepak Parekh said the initiative is "our little way of bringing some light and some hope into the families that need it most"
Volunteer Clare Hannah said while packing bags: "You're thinking about, 'oh I wonder what they're going to make with this'. And the fact that this is all that they've got, for some people."
The parcels were taken from Hockley to residents living in homes provided by Walsall Housing Group (whg).
Faye Shanahan from whg said: "It's really tough out there. Our customers are having a really hard time. The cost of living is not easing.
"Events like this today are really, really fantastic. It makes an absolutely fantastic difference to our customers."
Resident John Whiting, who turned 80 on Saturday, described his parcel as "unbelievable".
"There are a lot of people out there that've got nothing," he added.
"The food will be tremendous, thank you."
Resident John Whiting, who turned 80 on Saturday, said he was happy with his food parcel
A London event was also held on Saturday, with similar events in Manchester and Leicester due on Sunday.
Organisers have set a goal of delivering 6,000 food hampers this year, which would surpass a 2025 record when more than 80,000 meals were provided.