The pub has already fed 15,000 people since March 2020.
With pubs unfortunately closed for the time being, businesses are struggling to stay afloat and some have turned to alternative ways to use their currently empty premises, including The Station in Kings Heath.
The Birmingham pub is now packed full of food parcels as opposed to their usual customers who come to visit for a pint, a hearty meal and some entertainment. The food parcels, which include the likes of tinned soups, bread and pasta, are all to be distributed to hungry locals struggling during the national lockdown.
The Station has so far fed 15,000 people since they transformed the venue into a food bank back in March 2020, of which school children, people who have lost their jobs, victims fleeing domestic abuse and lonely pensioners are among those who have received food donations. The pub has become a hub for those in desperate need during the pandemic and thanks to volunteers, the local community and pub owners, Darren Paul and wife Adele, they distribute around 100 food parcels per day.
The message of the High Street pub in need of food donations spread far and wide, with around 35-40 local streets involved, and it is currently seeing a dramatic increase in demand for food supplies during the third lockdown. The Station is welcoming any donations of non-perishable foods such as tinned meat, tinned fish, cordial, pasta sauce, coffee, UHT milk, tinned soup and beans.
The food bank greatly relies on donations but when the stocks run out, pub owner Darren drives around supermarkets and other organisations to ensure there’s parcels for those who need it the next day. He told the Birmingham Mail that he feared that even when the pubs are allowed to reopen, and he can finally welcome back customers, there will still be a dire need for a food bank in the area. Therefore, Darren Paul is currently looking for space in Kings Heath to open a food bank once his pub is able to reopen.
The pub is also collecting laptops to distribute out to local schools which are struggling with a limited number of devices. For larger food donations, people can message the pub on Facebook and arrange a donation anytime seven days a week. Donations can be taken to The Station, 7 High Street, King’s Heath, Birmingham B14 7BB on Fridays 10am-4pm, Saturdays and Sundays 12pm-4pm.
[Featured Image: The Station]