"Talking with people of different faiths and hearing the stories of those with lived experience of hunger brought us together in our common calling to challenge injustice and help those in need in our communities," says Sally Wheadon, Deacon at Camden Town Methodist Church.

Titled 'Mitzvah Day Hunger Hurts: A Community Conversation,' the event provided a platform for faith leaders, experts, and individuals with lived experience to share their perspectives on the challenges of hunger and explore potential solutions.

The church linked 'Mitzvah Day Hunger Hurts’ to their Harvest Festival and encouraged the wider community to add their donations to harvest food donated by church members. The key highlight of the day was the panel discussion, which gave attendees a rare opportunity to learn about the realities faced by those struggling with food insecurity.

"Our Mitzvah Day theme for 2024 is 'Stronger Together' and this event encapsulated it perfectly, promoting interfaith dialogue, community service and the power of unity. Many Mitzvah Day projects are linked to Inter Faith Week, but it also connects people to charities and social justice projects," explains Mitzvah Day CEO Stuart Diamond.

From the Hotel to the Food Bank

The event was held at the Methodist church, which houses the Wesley Hotel on the upper floors while the lower ground floor remains a place of worship. This unique setup provided the perfect venue for the Mitzvah Day project.

"One of the problems the food bank has is was that they're only open twice a week, so it is very difficult for people to drop off donations," explains Sally. "With the hotel being open 24/7, we can receive donations at the church daily."

This collaborative approach has been a game-changer for the Camden Food Bank, which is run by the Trussell Trust charity. Sally has taken on the role of Camden Foodbank Strategic Church Engagement Lead which is primarily about encouraging church communities to support the food bank. However, Sally actively reaches out to other faith communities to encourage their support as well.

The event itself was a resounding success, with attendees from diverse backgrounds coming together to donate non-perishable food items and toiletries. These donations are now being distributed to local families and individuals in need through the Camden Food Bank.

A powerful symbol of interfaith unity

"As we face increasing challenges of food insecurity and social division, it's crucial to come together as a community," Stuart emphasises. "By uniting people from diverse backgrounds to address these issues head-on, we can foster compassion, understanding and create a more just society."

Sally and Stuart met at an interfaith event in Camden and share the same passion for social justice and interfaith partnerships. Through them, the collaboration between the Camden Town Methodist Church and Mitzvah Day has not only provided vital support to the local food bank but has also served as a powerful symbol of interfaith unity.

In a time of growing social and political tensions, this event has shown the transformative power of people from various backgrounds working together for the common good. Sally sums up the experience, saying, "It feels right to me that I'm in contact not just with church leaders, but people of all faiths, and encouraging and offering them an opportunity if they wish to support Camden Food Bank."

As the UK celebrates Interfaith Week, the Mitzvah Day Hunger Hurts event in Camden stands as a shining example of the positive impact that can be achieved when diverse communities come together with a shared purpose. This inspiring display of interfaith collaboration is sure to leave a lasting impression and pave the way for future partnerships that tackle social issues head-on.