Isaac opens third shed after giving away nearly 2,000 food bags

Last December Friends of Isaac’s Food Bank opened its second shed in Batchley, following on from its original site which was set up in December 2020 in Greenlands.

Now due to ever increasing demand, another food bank was officially opened at Abbeydale Community Club on Saturday, May 20.

The shed is called ‘Russell’s Retreat’ in homage to Russell Button from RB External Cleaning Solutions who has funded the new food bank.

Russell's Retreat at Abbeydale Community Club. (Image: Claire-Louise Chapman.)

North Street Sheds kidney donated the shed and Gifgaff donated around 26 crates of food.

Recently, Friends of Isaac’s Food Bank reduced the opening hours of the sheds, which have previously been open 24 hours, due to incidents of overtaking.

Claire-Louise Chapman, Isaac’s mum says although the reduced opening hours have impacted the number of visitors, the demand is overwhelming.

“We don’t see some people who used to regularly use the food banks due to the opening hours but at our Batchley shed we are still seeing 160 to 170 visitors a week," said Claire.

Friends of Isaac's Food Bank. (Image: Claire-Louise Chapman.)

“All in all, we have given out nearly 2,000 food parcels this year so far.

“It’s just so sad to see the number of hardworking families that visit us.”

As the cost-of-living crisis continues to be prevalent in people’s minds, Isaac, aged 11, is on track to have five sheds in the Redditch borough by the end of summer.

Inside the shed. (Image: Claire-Louise Chapman.)

It is expected a fourth shed in Moons Moat will be open by mid-June followed by a fifth shed in Church Hill by mid-July.

In recognition of Isaac’s charitable efforts, he has been nominated for a BBC Make a Difference award and is set to attend a finalist ceremony in September.