Sharing Diwali kindness across the West Midlands
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20th October 2025
Customers
whg has once again joined the Diwali Basket Brigade to help spread light and hope to households across the West Midlands, marking Diwali on 20 October.
Now in its eighth year of supporting the initiative, colleagues from across the housing association came together at the Diwali Basket Brigade distribution centre to help pack more than 2,500 food hampers. Each hamper contained essential food and toiletries, such as rice, pasta, soup and tinned fruit, along with a handmade Diwali card from children supported by the Indian charity Manav Sadhna.
As a collaborative partner, whg received an allocation of 500 hampers to share with customers and through trusted community partners including the YMCA, ASAN and Mossley CIC. These organisations work closely with whg to support local people facing food poverty and the pressures of the rising cost of living.
During the week beginning 13 October, whg colleagues helped deliver the hampers to customers across Walsall and Wolverhampton, ensuring they reached households where they would make the biggest difference.
Connie Jennings, Director of Stronger Communities at whg, said:
“Partnering with the Diwali Basket Brigade is always a highlight in our calendar. It is about coming together as a community to bring warmth, hope and practical help to people who need it most. We are proud to work alongside partners like the YMCA and ASAN, whose local networks help us reach even more households across Walsall and beyond.
“Supporting schemes like this reflects our wider commitment to tackling inequality and ensuring everyone has access to the essentials that support a good quality of life.”
The Diwali Basket Brigade was founded in 2018 by community leader Deepak Parekh as a way of giving back during the festival of light. The charity now supports families across the UK through hundreds of volunteers and community partners, providing thousands of meals each year to those experiencing hardship.
The hampers were funded through community donations, with each basket costing around £10 to produce. They were distributed to customers of all faiths and backgrounds, bringing comfort and connection at what can be a challenging time of year.
