THIS is the story of how our drop-in, foodbank, and now Bookbanks stall, at St Jude and St Paul, Mildmay, in London, came to be.
Just over three years ago, a small group of us — parents from the local school — felt compelled to do something simple in the face of growing need in our community. Inspired by the words of St Teresa of Calcutta, “We cannot all do great things. But we can do small things with great love,” we set out to make a difference, however small it might be.
Our journey began with a simple idea: to provide extra food for families during the summer holidays of 2021, when normal free school meals were unavailable. We started with a pop-up foodbank operating out of the side entrance of our church, aimed at families who relied on those school meals. What began as a one-month initiative quickly extended into September, and then October, and continued as the cost-of-living crisis deepened and brought new challenges that we couldn’t ignore.
As the crisis persisted, we realised that the need was far greater and more enduring than we had initially thought; so we decided to keep going, expanding our offerings with the help of the Newington Green Action Group, a local charity, and a local restaurateur, who began cooking hot meals for our guests. What started as a small effort, with 20 to 30 guests outside the doors, has now grown into a community in which 70 to 90 people gather every Tuesday in the nave of the church, at between eight to ten tables, supported by a dedicated team of about 20 volunteers.
Along the way, we learned that, while food met an immediate need, it didn’t solve the longer-term challenges that people faced. It became clear that our efforts needed to evolve beyond just providing food. That is where the idea, from one of our volunteers, of a Bookbanks stall, came in — a way to nourish minds (and spirits?) in the same way as we were nourishing bodies.
THE Bookbanks stall, now more than a year old, was born out of the realisation that, just as food brings people together, so, too, can books (News, 14 June 2024). They offer a unique opportunity to inspire imagination, foster learning, and build connections. The stall is at the front of the church as you walk in; so, when somebody enters the building, there is always a welcoming smile to greet them. It is a place where people can find lifelines to different worlds, away from the struggles of everyday life.
Annabelle WilliamsAnnabelle Williams
The Bookbanks stall has a huge impact on the mood of the room. When volunteers are handing out bags of shopping, we often see people moving towards the bookshelves at the front. They mingle, talk to one another, and engage with the Bookbank volunteers. They find books for their children; and sometimes a simple chat about a book turns into a deeper conversation about life.
I’ve noticed that, although people may have come originally for the food, they end up staying for the hospitality. They may have come to find a warm space in the middle of winter, but they stay for the welcoming community. And, although they may have arrived as individuals, they end up staying to make new friends.
The Bookbanks stall contributes to this atmosphere of warmth and connection. There is a fantastic collection of books: the stock seems to change more quickly than a regular bookshop’s, and includes bestsellers, classics, and new titles. Often, volunteers will observe that conversations about books have helped to start all kinds of other conversations — not just about books, but about life.
AS A vicar, I believe that the church at its best — through the work of things like foodbanks, bookbanks, warm spaces, and drop-ins — offers an opportunity to participate in God’s welcome for all people. We become, however imperfectly, the human face of the invisible mystery of God’s love.
A definition from Henri Nouwen has stayed with me for at least two decades, and helps to shape what I do and how I see some of our work: “Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place” (Reaching Out: The three movements of the spiritual life).
Looking ahead, my vision is that our Tuesday drop-in will continue to be an open space where other ideas, like the Bookbanks stall, can form and grow, including showing us what a new worshipping community might look like in this space. I hope it will help others to see that — as good and important as it is to work with professionals in the community — a church can also be a space where change can take place: a place where we don’t send people away, but, instead, invite them in.
My prayer is that, one day, the world will no longer need foodbanks. But, until then, I am filled with joy, knowing that the Tuesday drop-in is making a difference, however small, in our community, with God’s great love.
The Revd James Hill is the Vicar of St Jude and St Paul, Mildmay Grove, in the diocese of London.
Annabelle WilliamsAnnabelle WilliamsBOOKBANKS is a registered charity, and is currently operating in four foodbanks in London and Norfolk; three of these are in churches. If your church hosts a foodbank and you are interested in partnering with Bookbanks, this is what you need to consider:
- Is there space for Bookbanks to set up a stall in a welcoming spot at your food bank? The charity’s extensive network across the UK book industry means it will provide a wide range of regularly refreshed high-quality books, printed materials, a team of trained volunteers with a background in books, and even occasional author events and workshops. The church needs to provide a trestle table and space for the Bookbanks stall.
- Can the church provide space to store books on site? Bookbanks needs a minimum of five crates of books to be stored at the church.
- Do you have robust safeguarding procedures in place? Bookbanks volunteers will report any concerns or incidents directly to the church’s on-site Designated Safeguarding Lead, as well as to the charity.
- Are you able to help fund-raise, or do you know about any local grants that could help to cover either the set-up or running costs of having a Bookbanks stall at the church? The charity’s costs are low, as they source all their books — including many brand new ones — for free, but there are, none the less, some service costs involved, and they would welcome help in meeting the costs of opening a new site.
- Do you have any links with the local book community, e.g. with bookshops, libraries, or authors, that Bookbanks can help foster and develop?
- To ensure that it has the biggest, best, and most responsible impact, Bookbanks currently has a slow and steady approach to expansion. The charity may not be able to work with you straight away, but do get in touch through the form on its website (www.bookbanks.co.uk) with any further questions, and to express your interest.
Emily Rhodes
Founding director