News / Borderlands
‘Meat donation sends message of hope and support’
An appetising scent of home cooking wafts from the hall next to the Assisi Centre, where tables are crammed full of diners enjoying a hot meal.
The drop-in lunch provided by Borderlands is not only a vital source of food for those in need, but is also a means of bringing people together to form a common bond.
It is in this spirit that Bristol’s Muslim communities hope to make a real difference to the lives of refugees and asylum seekers in the city, many of whom face destitution as they struggle to access the limited services available to them.
is needed now More than ever
Abdul Malik, owner of Pak Butchers and chair of Easton Jamia Mosque, this week coordinated a group effort to donate around 50 kilos of meat to Borderlands’ Old Market HQ, to mark the end of the Islamic holiday Eid Ul Adha.
Abdul and April load the freezer with donated meat at Borderlands
The contribution – all paid for by Muslim customers – will provide a steady supply of halal meat to feed the many families and individuals facing food poverty, but Abdul hopes it will also set a precedent for more collective efforts to welcome and support those on our doorsteps.
“We have this huge Eid festival and part of that is about donating meat to a charity or good cause,” explains Abdul.
“For the last couple of years, we have been thinking of ways to get that meat out to those who need it. Two years ago, we went to Calais with a van-full of meat contributed by the people of Bristol.
“But we thought we can actually make a difference to people closer to home. This is what it should be about – and this will hopefully give people the inspiration to think outside of the box.
“The meat sends a message of hope and support to local people from local people, it also gives meaning to the contributors and encourages families – especially children – to give to charity, and the whole mission turns a spotlight on this amazing local cause.”
Borderlands welcomes everyone
Borderlands runs twice-weekly drop in sessions, with a free lunch, in the Tolentino Hall, next to the Assisi Centre on Lawfords Gate, for its members and, through this, is able to help guide people to the support services they need.
“The meal is one of the main draws, because we have people living in food poverty, sometimes quite severe, and they often can’t access food banks because they don’t know they exist, or can’t afford the bus fare to get there,” says April Humble, Borderlands director.
“Food is also something that’s really important in so many cultures, it brings people together and then leads to them accessing important services, such as destitution funds and food, travel funds for people who need to attend legal appointments and English lessons, among others.
“This donation means that we can have a reliable source of halal meat for our members, who are mostly Muslim, but also it helps give them a choice and makes them feel welcome.”
All of Borderlands food is provided by donations – the bulk of which comes from Fare Share and also the Rice Project.
Tolentino Hall by the Assisi Centre
Main photo: April Humble, director of Borderlands, volunteer Jayasumana Wijesekara, volunteer Nabil Amini and Abdul Malik of Easton Jamia Mosque.
Read more: The Channel: voices of people held in detention centres
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
