Hundreds of food parcels spread message of Diwali

• 2nd November 2021

Customers

Hundreds of food parcels have been delivered to families across Walsall as part of a charity project to spread cheer during Diwali.

whg teamed up with the Diwali Basket Brigade to distribute food parcels to customers who may be finding it hard to feed themselves and their families.

Volunteers from the housing association delivered around 500 Diwali baskets  to customers who had been nominated for the support.

The special Diwali baskets were funded by donations from across the community. They included healthy vegetarian food, a Diwali ‘Diya’ candlelight and, this year, hygiene products.

Head of Health and Wellbeing, Connie Jennings, said: “This is the Diwali Basket Brigade’s fourth year supporting our customers and we are so grateful for all their support.

“We know that many people are facing a tough winter, with some being forced to choose between heating and eating. This project is making a huge difference to those families and easing some of their financial burden.”

Founder Deepak Parekh started Diwali Basket Brigade in 2018 as a way for the community to give back during Diwali.

He said: “Diwali is a time of celebration and happiness. But unfortunately, there are many families in our local communities who have little to cheer about, who struggle to make ends meet and feel rejected. Diwali Basket Brigade is our small effort to support and spread the message of Diwali – the message of hope, happiness and giving”

In 2021 the initiative will provide 2,500 hampers, an increase of 500 hampers from last year. The hampers will reach families in London and Manchester as well as in Birmingham, where the initiative began.