When you step through the doors of St. Luke’s in Birmingham on a Thursday morning, you’ll find much more than shelves stocked with food. You’ll find a safe space, a warm cup of tea, and a community that looks after one another.

It all started during the height of the COVID pandemic. Like so many others, St. Luke’s opened a food bank to meet the urgent needs of local families. But as the challenges of the cost-of-living crisis deepened, what began as emergency support grew into something more sustainable: a thriving community shop and café that continues to bring hope, dignity, and relief to hundreds of families every week.

The Power of Partnership

Every Wednesday, an essential delivery arrives at St. Luke’s from FareShare Midlands. These deliveries provide the fresh fruit, vegetables, fridge and freezer items, and store cupboard essentials that stock the community shop.

“The value for money with FareShare is amazing,” explains Millie Ferguson, Community Support Coordinator at St. Luke’s. “What we get for what we pay is just outrageous. It allows us to offer families around £30–£40 worth of food for just £4.50 a week. That’s a massive difference for people who are struggling.”

This simple model, affordable food at a fraction of supermarket prices, helps stretch tight household budgets further and ensures families don’t have to go without the basics.

More Than a Shop

The shop itself is just one part of the experience. Each Thursday, as families arrive, they’re welcomed with a hot drink at Colemore Coffee, the community café run by Reece and his team.

“We sell tea and coffee for just 80p or a pound,” Reece says. “It’s about keeping it affordable, so everyone feels that they are able to come in, use the space, and feel welcome.”

For many, the café is as important as the shop. It’s a place to sit, chat, and connect, a lifeline against loneliness, as much as against hunger.

Meeting People Where They Are

Every week, St. Luke’s supports around 100 families, young parents, single mums, older residents, and people facing a wide range of struggles.

“The cost-of-living crisis is hitting everyone,” Reece explains. “Whether it’s food, energy bills, or just day-to-day expenses, the pressure keeps increasing. We’re just glad we can take some of that weight off people’s shoulders.”

One mum put it simply: “My kids don’t understand that money’s tight. They just see the cucumbers and oranges I bring home from the shop, and they’re happy. St. Luke’s is more than food, it’s home. It’s a warm, safe space where there’s always someone to listen.”

A Community That Cares

Behind it all is a passionate and diverse team, volunteers, coordinators, café staff, working together to serve their neighbours. As Millie reflects, “It’s just a really great opportunity to provide something that helps people I don’t even know. And the team, it’s an eclectic mix of people from all walks of life. I love it.”

At FareShare Midlands, we are proud to play a part in making this possible. By redistributing surplus food and empowering community organisations like St. Luke’s, we help ensure good food feeds people, not waste.

See inside the shop:

How You Can Help

Every loaf of bread, every crate of fruit, and every packet of pasta we deliver makes a real difference to families in need. But the need is growing - and we can’t do it alone.

Donate Now: Be a Hero - help us tackle hunger and fight food waste by making a donation today.

Watch their story in action: See the full video here.

Because when food brings people together, it doesn’t just fill plates - it fills hearts.