Feeding Humanity

Tesco has been supporting Langar Aid for the past 2 years by donating surplus food to avoid food wastage. This is part of the Fare Share food cloud scheme which is linked to 5 different Tesco stores around Coventry. Langar Aid also hold food collections along with schools outside local stores.

Over Christmas Aldi supported Langar Aid by donating two van loads of surplus food such as sprouts, carrots, potatoes and broccoli. Food packages were made which were then distributed around Coventry and  Bedworth to elderly homes and charities. In a similar way we also  receive regular food donations from Greggs and Papa Johns Pizza.

While Langar Aid predominantly supports with feeding the homeless, we are also keen to promote the ideals of selfless service which is very much rooted within the Sikh faith.

We would like to commemorate and honor the first Guru’s life and teachings by raising awareness and encouraging more people to sign up  and register to become blood and organ donors.

Langar Aid works with various schools around Coventry, to spread awareness of homelessness within the UK. The project’s ethos is based upon the Sikh principle of “Vand Chakna” (Sharing with others) which promotes equality hence the motto ‘Recognise the human race as one’.

We launched a new campaign, a ‘Bag Of Warmth’. The campaign  is supported by local schools where families help purchase items and  the pupils help pack the bags containing winter essentials. This has enabled us to engage with local schools and provide an opportunity for pupils to make a positive difference for those in the local community who are less fortunate.

Langar Aid deliver food to individuals who we know are in a vulnerable  state and supply breakfast food items to churches and other  organisations that run breakfast clubs

During our interaction with those who require our services, we ensure our mission is made aware to them, including information regarding our long-term programmes such as; Steps for Change where they can receive advice and support from our organisation.

We understand that reasons for people becoming homeless or vulnerable  can be deep rooted and complex involving many associated issues such as  addiction, alcohol and mental health. In Coventry we are just beginning  to extend our work to help alleviate some of the underlying causes.  This includes inviting external agencies who can provide expert guidance  and support. We have also set-up our very own on-site allotment which  enables the homeless and vulnerable to grow their own produce and at the  same time helps provide a sense of purpose and value.

Langar Aid House in Coventry is open to provide service users with  life skills and educational skills which help them with getting their  life together. For example, we are in the planning stages of offering service users the opportunity to learn new recipes using affordable  ingredients enabling them to cook nutritious meals independently.

We also aim to support communities by holding more pop-up  cafes  around Coventry with the support of the community police and  organisations such as CRISIS, CRC, Salvation Army etc to provide on-site  advice to individuals similar to the current Police project running in  the City Centre.

We provide food packages to individuals/families who need support towards food rations. These food packages are based on basic referrals and Langar Aid vouchers forwarded by organisations such as WATCH and the  Job Centre.

The packages consist of basic food items such as milk, teabags,  cereal, bread, fruit and vegetables etc. We will be expanding into a  distribution centre for our teams around England and being able to  distribute food items to groups and charities around the region on a  larger scale.

We have converted a disused allotment site into a flourishing community food growing site.  The site is open for service users and volunteers to encourage them to grow their own produce and also creating a positive  and homely atmosphere for them. The allotment is maintained by Langar Aid volunteers and service users.